Declaration on the Armenian Genocide

Office of the President. January 20, 2004

Toronto. January the 12th, 2004, during the last monthly meeting of the members of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada, the Council adopted a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide and calls on the Provincial and Federal Government of Canada to implement the June 13, 2003, Senate of Canada resolution which calls on for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

To this extend and in order to fully inform you I have the honour of sending the resolution to you.

Please make sure that this resolution will meet the necessary publicity by every member organization, Press or Electronic Media.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Thomas S. Saras

President

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, from 1915 to 1923, 1.5 million Armenians were murdered by the Ottoman Turkish government as part of a systematic program of genocide; and

WHEREAS, Armenians were deprived of their homes, their dignity, their lands and ultimately their lives;

And

WHEREAS, the Turkish government has not only avoided its responsibility for officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide but has embarked on a campaign of denial ; and

WHEREAS, The Armenian Genocide lead to the emigration to Canada of tens of thousands of Armenias who then contributed to Canadian society as a whole and who also live and work across Canada; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian Genocide has been acknowledged by Countries and international bodies such as Argentina, Belgium, Canada, The Council of Europe, Cyprus, The European Parliament, France, Great Britain, Greece, Lebanon, Switzerland, Russia, The United Nations and Uruguay; and

WHEREAS, it is critically important for Canadians to acknowledge what happened and to teach present and future generations the history of Genocide in order to prevent future genocides;

Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT The National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada,

in the name of Justice, cooperation, human rights, respect among the nations and the peoples, RECOGNIZES THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE.

Calls on upon the Federal Government of Canada to implement the June 13,2003, Senate of Canada resolution, which calls for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and request the Government of Canada affirms that and also condemns any attempt by the Turkish Government to deny or distort this historical truth as being anything less than genocide and a crime against humanity. Also calls on upon the Provincial and Federal Government of Canada to recognize this historical crime and to designate April 24th of every year hereafter throughout Canada as a day of remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians and all others who fell victims to the first genocide and all other genocides of the twentieth century.

Passed unanimously, in Toronto this 12th day of January, 2004

For the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada.
Conseil national de la press et medias ethnicques du Canada.

Thomas S. Saras
President/President

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