Balearic Islands – Spain: the Armenian Genocide recognition process launched
The Armenian National Committee of Spain (Consejo Nacional Armenio de España) informed that on December 14th, 2010, the Human Rights Committee of the Balearic Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution considering “the fate suffered by the Armenian people between 1915 and 1921 as a Genocide”, in accordance with the UN Convention on the prevention, and the Punishment of the crime of genocide, adopted in December 1948.
“I consider the recognition of Genocides, and in particular that of the Armenians, as being a just cause and inevitable for a historical justice; it is necessary in order to prevent other genocides” declared the deputy Miquel Àngel Llauger, member of the Bloc Per Mallorca (Coalition of the Left, Ecologist and Nationalist Groups) and initiator of the resolution.
The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy expressed its satisfaction to the initiators of this historical resolution and is keen on giving its support to the Members of the Human Rights Committee of the Balearic Parliament for this courageous act.
“It is a big step in the fight against genocides and denials” declared Hilda Tchoboian, President of the European Armenian Federation. “We invite all the political forces of the Parliament to join the Bloc Per Mallorca and vote in favour of this resolution when put on the Parliament’s agenda according to the predefined calendar”.
The Federation recalls that the Balearic Islands thus follow the example in Spain of the Basque Country (April 2007) and Catalonia (March 2010) Parliaments, which, based on the Resolution “For a political solution of the Armenian question” adopted by the European Parliament in 1987, formally recognized the Armenian genocide, and call on the Spanish government to do the same. The Federation also considers that the final recognition by the Balearic Parliament will contribute to the necessary recognition of the Armenian genocide by the Spanish Parliament.
“These successive recognitions in Europe aim to Turkey to involve itself in a process of justice with respect to the Armenian people” affirmed Hilda Tchoboian.
“The members of the Balearic Parliament understood the lesson from History: at the time when Europe is concerned with security issues, the recognition of the genocide is an additional guarantee against the dangers of the denial and the emergence of totalitarianisms which threaten the European societies. It is a significant contribution to the construction of values for a Europe of citizens” concluded Hilda Tchoboian.
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