100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide marks new stage in process of international condemnation of that crime: Writers Union of Armenia
5 minute read
YEREVAN, 23 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian writers urge theintellectualsofthe whole world to join the condemnation and internationalization of the Armenian Genocide, their struggle of decades, being sure that with joint efforts it is possible to reach the revealing of truth, to the fact, that the modern Turkey has to face its history, condemn the crime committed by their ancestors and so that the world will never face such a tragedy. The statement issued by the Department of the Writers Union of Armenia said this. As “Armenpress” reports the statement particularly runs as follows:
“This year on April 24 marks the 100th anniversary of the first horrific tragedy of the twentieth century, which was planned and perpetrated on a state level by the Ottoman Empire and continued by its successor the Republic of Turkey, as well as this year marks the centennial of the displacement, due to which the people where deprived of their homeland, the massacres of an entire ancient and civilized people in its historic homeland.
What happened in 1894-1923 is an unprecedented crime not only against the Armenian people, but also against humanity, which claimed the lives of more than 1.5 million Armenians, annexed our historic homeland, our churches and cultural monuments had been demolished. A bright constellation of prominent intellectuals also became victims of the Genocide, encompassing Turkish Parliament member, famous lawyer and writer Grigor Zohrab, distinguished poets Daniel Varuzhan, Siamanto, Ruben Sevak, many other writers, publicists, lexicographers…
Many prominent world-known public figures, lawyers, writers and intellectuals including Romain Rolland, Anatole France, Fridtjof Nansen, Lepsius and others raised their voice against the massacres and destruction carried out during the Genocide; their names remain as a symbol of truth and justice in the memory of the Armenian people. Franz Werfel's name is stored in special warmth, whose “Forty Days of Musa Dagh” novel is the most influential and credible artistic testimonies of the Armenian Genocide.
In the international regard, the impunity of the Armenian Genocide turned the 20th century into new stage, which is proud of its civilization and achievements. "Who now remembers the annihilation of the Armenians?" Hitler calmed his supporters, calmly increasing the number of the death camps. In the last century, the impunity also opened a door to other massacres of the Armenian people in Sumgait, Baku and in other places, initiated by the Azerbaijani authorities against the indigenous Armenian people for Karabakh war.
Despite all Armenians, the persistent and consistent demands of the international community, the officially recognition of more than two dozen countries of the world, the calls of many modern Turkish intellectuals, the current Turkish government denies the fact of the genocide, cunningly trying to maneuver in the rear of the so-called new approaches, sparing no effort to avoid historical responsibility.
The 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide marks a new stage in the process of the crime’s international recognition, condemnation and Armenians’ demand. The pan-Armenian Declaration published on the 100th anniversary clearly states the Armenian people’s collective willingness and determination, based on the international authoritative structures, righteous states and the support of civilized community, to reach the legal recognition of the Armenian Genocide, stand up its historical rights, which had been brutally violated, because statutory limitations are not applicable to the crimes such as genocide.
The intellectuals are the conscience of humanity, the herald of kindness and justice. That's why we ask You, hoping that You join the writers and intellectuals’ struggle of decades and by united efforts we’ll reach the revealing of truth, to that fact, that modern Turkey confronts its history, condemns the crime committed by its ancestors and the world will never face such a tragedy.
Our sole purpose is that the present and future generations live in peace, bloodless world”.