-PRESS RELEASE-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2019
Contact: Sevag Belian (613) 235-2622
OTTAWA- Today the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) joins the international community in marking International Human Rights Day (December 10) and the 71st anniversary of the 1948 adoption of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (December 9).
“As the largest and most influential Armenian-Canadian grassroots human rights organization, the ANCC continues to stand on the frontlines of combatting human rights violations in Canada and around the world and stands firm in its commitment to continue working for the prevention and punishment of the crime of Genocide.” said Hrag Tarakdjian and Shahen Mirakian, co-presidents of the ANCC.
Earlier this year, after a miscalculated decision by US President Donald Trump to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, the international community witnessed a reckless Turkish invasion into Kurdish-led territories, causing a humanitarian catastrophe while sounding the alarms for a potential genocide.
“The ANCC was quick in mobilizing its efforts and working alongside partner communities to bring this issue to the attention of the Canadian Government and to call on Ottawa to condemn the attack and take concrete action to contain the Turkish invasion” said Tarakdjian.
“We were proud of our joint efforts which led to a strong condemnation and timely decision by then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland, to halt all arms exports to Turkey” added Mirakian.
Over the years, the ANCC has worked closely with elected officials, civil servants, various cultural communities and non-governmental organizations to uphold our shared values of respect, tolerance and justice, while bringing more attention to issues that are often left on the margins of society.
On Sunday, December 8, the ANCC participated in a panel discussion, titled “Seeking Justice After Genocide”, organized by PAGE Rwanda, in collaboration with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the Montreal Holocaust Museum, commemorating the 71st anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention. Dr. Lalai Manjikian spoke on behalf of the ANCC, highlighting key themes such as solidarity, advancement of justice, building bridges and collective remembrance.
“We look forward to continuing our nationwide efforts in contributing to the protection of the fundamental human rights of all peoples and working with various stakeholders to prevent future atrocities and hold perpetrators to account” concluded Tarakdjian and Mirakian.
-30-
******
The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Armenian-Canadian grassroots human rights organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-Canadian community on a broad range of issues and works to eliminate abuses of human rights throughout Canada and the world.
