DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA SENDS LETTER TO ADL CHAIR
KarabakhOpen
31-10-2007 12:56:54
Washington, DC — The Armenian Assembly of America would like to call
your attention to the following letter sent yesterday from Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian of the Eastern Dioceses of the Armenian Church of
America to the National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Abraham Foxman, calling upon the ADL to condemn all genocide and
crimes against humanity.
Below is the full text of the Archbishops letter to Foxman:
Dear Mr. Foxman, I hope this letter finds you well. I know that you
are preparing for a leadership meeting of the ADL so I wanted to
follow-up on my letter of 28 August.
Again, I reiterate my appreciation for the ADL leadership taking up
the issue of the Armenian Genocide. I know that organizational change,
especially on sensitive, long-standing policy issues is difficult,
yet a further clarification will be important for our two communities.
The Jewish ethic of Tikkun Olam, perfecting our broken world, requires
us all to move out of our comfort zones, especially when matters of
justice and human rights are at stake. While the ADL’s position on the
recognition of the genocide has become clearer, I urge you and your
colleagues to take the next, necessary step and make unequivocally
clear the condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. Only by removing
any language the does not fully express uniform recognition and
condemnation in the most resolute terms possible, by the ADL and/or
any other body, can the fullness of justice be achieved.
To acknowledge the Armenian Genocide only to speak against resolutions
condemning it sets a terrible, moral precedent. Recognition leads
to condemnation and without that, there can be no steps towards
prevention.
Recognition without condemnation does not promote justice. The last
century, and sadly the first decade of this century, have seen man’s
continued assault on the fundamental right to live, most notably in the
Armenian Genocide, the Shoa, Cambodian Genocide, Rawandan Genocide,
and sadly the Genocide that now rages on in Darfur. We cannot expect
the protection of our own human rights if we are not courageous enough
to speak out in favor of human rights for all. When the rights of
our own human rights if we are not courageous enough to speak out in
favor of human rights for all. When the rights of one are diminished,
all are diminished.
As you know, in law, silence is tantamount to acquiescence, therefore
we must not condone and therefore share in preferential selection of
one race against another through our silence. We cannot allow the
political considerations that whisper today to define our resolute
condemnation of all crimes against humanity, for such a decision
would resonate for eternity. We must give full and unwaivering voice
to our commitment to humanity.
I urge you and all members of the ADL leadership, to join in removing
all objections to the condemnation of any and every genocide and crime
against humanity. Because of the good work the ADL has done throughout
the decades you have a unique ability to speak out. Please use that
voice resoundingly in this moral imperative.
With Prayers, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian Primate