His Holiness Aram I lends his support to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Welsh National Assembly
Last May, a small group of Welshmen, working through a number of Christian churches in Wales, raised the Armenian Genocide as a matter of public concern. The following month, the National Assembly of Wales discussed the Armenian Genocide in one of its sessions. Since that time, a majority of Welsh Assembly members have acknowledged the Armenian Genocide and called on the British Parliament to do the same.
On 30 October 2002, there will be a public event in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, where in the presence of Welsh churchmen, there will be a public announcement that the National Assembly of Wales has recognized the Armenian Genocide. Hereunder is the text of the message that His Holiness Aram I sent to the National Assembly and clergy of Wales.
It gives me profound spiritual joy to greet you on this historic day in the modern history of Wales. Indeed, this is a day of remembering one and a half million Armenians who lost their lives as victims of a Genocide organized and executed by the Ottoman Turkish Empire in 1915 during the First World War. This is also a day of re-affirming the historical truth and the call for justice.
In fact, the Armenian Genocide is an undeniable and unforgettable fact of history. The annals of history are full of hard proof and living testimonies that clearly point to the historicity of this sad page of human history.
Unpunished genocides will generate new genocides and continuing injustices will cause new injustices. Respect for human rights and dignity is the only way towards peace and reconciliation. Hence, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not only the re-affirmation of the credibility and relevance of international law, it is also a challenge to Turkey to accept the crime committed against the Armenian people.
I warmly welcome and deeply appreciate your wisdom and courageous act of the National Assembly of Wales, which is, indeed, a clear expression of your strong commitment to human rights and justice.
May God bless you.
ARAM I - CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA