German-Armenians plan to submit petition to Chancellor

YEREVAN, 7 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. Within the frames of the events dedicated to the 100thanniversary of the Armenian Genocide, German-Armenians are planning on holding a protest near the Turkish Embassy and organizing a march to the residence of the German Chancellor to submit a petition. The Berlin-based Genocide Recognition Task Force (GRTF) has also planned other events. This is whatProfessor of the Free University of Berlin, member of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Germany Committee, Dr. Jirair Kochariansaid in an interview with “Armenpress”.“The events will be held in different cities across the country. From February 11 to May 28, there will be a photo exhibition at the Anna Frank Educational Institution in Frankfurt, and German scholar, Armenologist Tessa Hoffman will give a lecture. On April 11, the translated versions of martyred writers will be read during an event that we will organize with the Armenian Church Union in Berlin. On April 18, the GRTF will organize a commemorative vigil in front of the Turkish Embassy, as well as a march to the residence of the Chancellor to submit a petition. On April 24, two lectures will be given at the Marien Church in central Berlin. The ceremonies will continue all week long,”Kocharian said in detail.

According to Kocharian, the presence of the nearly 4 million Turks, some of which are already citizens of Germany, as well as the country’s political and economic interests and Turkey being an ally to NATO serve as a reason for Germany’s position on the Armenian Genocide.He recalls that in its decision in 2005, the Bundestag still didn’t use the terms “Genocide” and “Deportation”, saying that Germany signed the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide on 22 February 1955 and that has a regressive force.“Of course, this is just an excuse; otherwise, this law should have applied to the Holocaust as well,”Kocharian underscored. According to him, Germany is escaping from responsibility for being an imperial accomplice to sultan Turkey during WWI.