British Government takes first step towards Armenian Genocide recognition - Press release from CRAG regarding Holocaust Memorial Day, 28 Jan 2002

Britain's second National Holocaust Memorial Day took place in Manchester on the 27th January 2002.

The 2001 event, received considerable press attention due to the exclusion of the Armenian Genocide from the national event. The Home Office had decided that only genocide that had taken place since the Holocaust should be included for commemoration. The only 20th Century genocide therefore excluded was the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

It soon became clear that this decision was not an oversight, but part of the British Government policy of denial of the Armenian Genocide. A compromise was finally reached where a number of Armenians were invited to the event, and that the Armenian Patriarch was asked to light a candle at the end of the event. Though CRAG and others clarified that this was inclusion of the Armenian Community rather than the Armenian Genocide.

"unfortunately it has not 
changed its official policy
that only genocide after
the Holocaust should be 
included, rather that the
policy would be 
overlooked for the 2002 
commemoration"

The Home Office took the decision early on in its deliberations on the 2002 event that the Armenian Genocide would have to be included for Britain's second Holocaust Memorial Day.

Though unfortunately it has not changed its official policy that only genocide after the Holocaust should be included, rather that the policy would be overlooked for the 2002 commemoration.

CRAG is now pushing that this policy be changed and that all genocide of the 20th Century be included within the frame of reference for commemoration for all future Holocaust Memorial Days.

You can help us in this campaign by clicking on the 'take action' button above and writing a fax to your Member of Parliament asking them to support this change in Government policy. It is only with the help of Members of Parliament that this policy will be changed.