Statement by the Mr. Jagmeet Singh in observation of Armenian Genocide Memorial Day

April 24, 2019

Dear Friends,

This year marks the 104th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Today is a day of remembrance and commemoration, and a reminder of the years when the world remained silent as over 1.5 million Armenians were killed.

Today is a day to grieve for the lives of the men, women, and children whose lives were taken and acknowledge the loss of the Armenian people as a whole.

Four years ago, the House of Commons unanimously adopted a motion designating April as Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation, and Prevention Month and recognizing today, April 24th, as Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.

The strength of our collective voice must continue. It is vital that we recognize this unconscionable crime and condemn the Armenian Genocide as a crime against humanity. We must work to ensure the horrors of the Genocide be recognized worldwide, so that they cannot be forgotten and repeated elsewhere.

New Democrats continue to stand in solidarity with the Armenian community in remembrance of this dark moment in history. We recognize the many sacrifices that led to the creation of an independent Armenia, and the tragedy that has touched the lives of many Armenian-Canadians and members of the Armenian diaspora worldwide.

As we mark today, let us remember this terrible period in our history and re-commit ourselves to protecting human rights and working for peace around the world.