PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
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HIS HOLINESS ARAM I ANNOUNCES THE ROADMAP TO LEAD THE CATHOLICOSATE OF
CILICIA
FROM RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO REPARATION
On Saturday 25 February 2012, at the final session, His Holiness Aram I
thanked the experts, the participants and Prof. Nora Bayrakdarian, the
organizer of the conference.
He then announced that he will collaborate with the Armenian Catholic and
Evangelical Churches to seek compensation for the confiscated Churches and
church-related properties, as well as religious and cultural objects.
Speaking of the international mechanisms for establishing justice, the
Catholicos said, “International law and its relevant international norms
arising from treaties, conventions and resolutions of the UN General
Assembly challenge impunity in all forms, spell out the international legal
principles of accountability, justice and rule of law and affirm the
necessity of reparation. Furthermore, the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights clearly states that “no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his
property,” and that “return of property” is an integral and essential part
of reparation. Turkey may continue denying the Armenian Genocide, it may
continue spending significant political capital and issuing threats in an
attempt to block initiatives aimed at the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. But, it cannot deny the very fact that about two million
Armenians, Ottoman citizens, in 1915 were forcefully driven out from their
homes, leaving behind them thousands of churches, monasteries, schools,
hospitals, community and private properties and a huge spiritual. cultural,
intellectual and financial wealth.”
Addressing the issue of properties, His Holiness said, “the policy of denial
does not exempt Turkey from its legal obligation towards the Armenian
properties. As a first and concrete step towards a full restoration of the
legitimate rights of the Armenian people, church and community properties
must be returned to their rightful owners.” He then reminded the audience
that “the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, itself a victim of Genocide,
has the moral and legal obligation and the legitimate right to claim its own
properties.
In Conclusion, Catholicos Aram I said, “the genocide, the forced exodus of
Armenians from their centuries-old homeland, confiscation of Armenian
properties and devaluation of Ottoman citizenship of Armenians are not
fiction, but concrete facts; they are not unrelated incidents or arbitrary
measures but part of pan-Turanian policy of Turkey.” He then outlined an
action plan to be taken soon “Based on the deliberations of the experts in
international law and the emerging conclusions of this conference, and
taking into consideration the provisions provided by international law, the
Catholicosate of Cilicia, in collaboration with the political parties,
community leadership and main players of the Armenian Committees, will work
towards gaining reparation from Turkey. I will seek an advisory opinion from
the International Court of Justice through the United Nations on the legal
consequences of the Armenian Genocide. I believe that NGOs and civil society
could play an advocacy role by challenging the UN to take action to this
effect. I will explore the possibility of raising the Armenian case to the
European Court of Human Rights, based on human rights violations related to
the Genocide and the confiscation of properties. I am confident that you,
the experts in international law, too will help us in this process.
Because of the present political landscape and geopolitical interests, this
is not an easy process. However, we are determined to embark on this
critical process with renewed faith and firm determination, and, as I said
last night, the role of the Republic of Armenia is pivotal in this respect.”
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Photos:
From: Baghdasarian