Today, April 24, the world is grieving for the victims of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915-1923. Turkey will not admit the tragedy, the first genocide in the 20th century.
Commemoration ceremonies are being held in almost all the states of the world where Armenians happen to live. Pickets are organized in front of Turkish Embassies worldwide, the demand being the admission of the great human tragedy by official Ankara.
This morning, tens of thousands of peoples are flowing to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, symbol of national grief and revival, to pay homage to the memory of the innocent victims. Many Diasporan Armenians arrive in Armenia on the occasion to take part in the procession.
Yesterday, April 23, a traditional torchlight procession was held in Yerevan. Thousands of people, carrying banners and the Armenian national flag, gathered in front of the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) in protest at Turkey’s policy of denying the Armenian Genocide, which has been recognized by many states. A year ago, on the threshold of the 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Yerevan and Ankara stated their intention to establish bilateral relations. On April 22, 2010, the Armenian side had to state its decision to suspend the ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols signed in Zurich on October 10, 2009, the reason being Turkish officials’ destructive position and delay in ratifying the documents.
Genocide recognition chronicle
1. Sweden, Parliament resolution, March 11, 2010
2. Chile, Senate, Resolution — Jule 07, 2007
3. Argentina, Law, January 11, 2007
4. Argentina, Senate, Special Statement — April 19, 2006
5. Lithuania, Assembly, Resolution — December 15, 2005
6. European Parliament, Resolution — September 28, 2005
7. Venezuela, National Assembly, Resolution — July 14, 2005
8. Germany, Parliament, Resolution — June 15, 2005
9. Argentina, Senate, Resolution — April 20, 2005
10. Poland, Parliament, Resolution — April 19, 2005
11. Netherlands, Parliament, Resolution — December 21, 2004
12. Slovakia, National Assembly, Resolution — November 30, 2004
13. Canada, House of Commons, Resolution — April 21, 2004
14. Argentina, Senate, Declaration — March 31, 2004
15. Uruguay, Law — March 26, 2004
16. Argentina, Draft Law — March 18, 2004
17. Switzerland (Helvetic Confederation), National Council, Resolution — December 16, 2003
18. Argentina, Senate, Resolution — August 20, 2003
19. Canada, Senate, Resolution — June 13, 2002
20. European, Parliament, Resolution — February 28, 2002
21. Common Declaration of His Holiness John Paul II and His Holiness Karekin
II at Holy Etchmiadzin, Republic of Armenia — September 27, 2001
22. Prayer of John Paul II, Memorial of Tzitzernagaberd — September 26, 2001
23. France, Law — January 29, 2001
24. Italy, Chamber of Deputies, Resolution — November 16, 2000
25. European Parliament, Resolution — November 15, 2000
26. France, Senate, Draft Law — November 7, 2000
27. Lebanon, Parliament, Resolution — May 11, 2000
28. Sweden, Parliament, Report — March 29, 2000
29. France, National Assembly, Draft Law — May 28, 1998
30. Belgium, Senate, Resolution — March 26, 1998
31. Lebanon, Chamber of Deputies, Resolution — April 3, 1997
32. U.S., House of Representatives, Resolution 3540 — June 11, 1996
33. Greece (Hellenic Republic), Parliament, Resolution — April 25, 1996
34. Canada, House of Commons, Resolution — April 23, 1996
35. Russia, Duma, Resolution — April 14, 1995
36. Argentina, Senate, Resolution — May 5, 1993
37. European Parliament, Resolution — June 18, 1987
38. U.S., House of Representatives, Joint Resolution 247 — September 12, 1984
39. Cyprus, House of Representatives, Resolution — April 29, 1982
40. U.S., House of Representatives, Joint Resolution 148 — April 9, 1975
41. Uruguay, Senate and House of Representatives,Resolution — April 20, 1965
42. U.S., Senate, Resolution 359 — May 11, 1920
43. U.S., Congress, An Act to Incorporate Near East Relief — August 6, 1919
44. U.S., Senate, Concurrent Resolution 12 — February 9, 1916
45. France, Great Britain, and Russia, Joint Declaration — May 24, 1915
U.S. states that recognized Armenian Genocide: Alaska, Nebraska, Arizona, Nevada, Arkansas, New Hampshire, California, New Jersey, Colorado, New Mexico, Connecticut, New York, Delaware, North Carolina, Florida, North Dakota, Georgia, Ohio, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Idaho, Oregon, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Rhode Island, Kentucky, South Carolina, Louisiana, Tennessee, Maine, Texas, Maryland, Utah, Massachusetts, Vermont, Michigan, Virginia, Minnesota, Washington, Missouri, Wisconsin, Montana.