Stockholm permits erection of Armenian Genocide-dedicated monument

YEREVAN, JANUARY 31, ARMENPRESS: Botkyrka Suburban County Council of the capital of Sweden approved the offer to erect a monument dedicated to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims in Stockholm. The President of the Assembly of Armenians of Europe Garo Hakopian told about it to Armenpress, stating that the discussion of the issue lasted for quite a long time. “The discussion lasted for more than an hour. I do not think that any other issue would last for so long to be discussed. The issue was called civic initiative offer, which appealed to the authorities of the Botkyrka Suburban County Council of Stockholm to allow the erection of a monument dedicated to the memory of the victims, fallen in the result of the genocide committed by Turkey against the Christians. After long discussions 54 representatives of the ruling and opposition parties representing the Suburban County Council voted for the offer, five of them – against and one – neutral”, - noted Garo Hakopian.

Now it remains only that Armenia and the Armenian sides show interest and have their involvement in the works of the placement, form and inscription of the monument. “We could establish connection with the local Assyrian structures to create opportunities for joint work”, - expressed hope Garo Hakopian.

The fact of the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman government has been documented, recognized, and affirmed in the form of media and eyewitness reports, laws, resolutions, and statements by many states and international organizations. The complete catalogue of all documents categorizing the 1915 wholesale massacre of the Armenian population in Ottoman Empire as a premeditated and thoroughly executed act of genocide, is extensive. Uruguay was the first country to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide in 1965. The massacres of the Armenian people were officially condemned and recognized as genocide in accordance with the international law by France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Greece, Slovakia, Cyprus, Lebanon, Uruguay, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Canada, Vatican and Australia.