Assyrian International News Agency AINA
May 15 2013
NSW Parliament Formally Recognises Assyrian Genocide
Posted GMT 5-15-2013 2:15:19
Australia — Smithfield state Liberal MP Andrew Rohan has paid tribute
to the an Australian soldier who rescued his Assyrian parents from a
massacre after the Assyrian genocide was formally recognised by the
NSW Government.
On Wednesday, State Parliament unanimously passed a motion by Premier
Barry O’Farrell calling for the official recognition of the Assyrian,
Armenian and Greek genocides.
It is estimated 1.5 million Armenians, 750,000 Assyrians and 500,000
Greeks were massacred by Ottoman Empire forces between 1915 and 1922
during their attempts to eradicate the Christian minorities.
In a speech to Parliament last week, Mr Rohan said his parents were
among the 90,000 Assyrian Christian refugees who fled their ancestral
home to escape persecution by the Ottoman regime in 1918.
The refugees were protected by 28-year-old Australian Army Captain
Stanley Savige.
“Reasoning that a Turkish commander would concentrate on killing him
before harming the refugees, he strategically placed his command at
the rear of the refugee procession and deliberately drew enemy fire,”
Mr Rohan said.
“By offering his command as a target, even though he was outnumbered
one hundred to one, Captain Savige managed to slow the enemy advance
long enough for most of the refugees to flee.
“My parents survived the genocide because of the heroic actions of Sir
Stanley George Savige.”
Captain Savige, who later rose to the military rank of Lieutenant
General, was decorated with a Distinguished Service Order for his
bravery.
For years local Assyrian, Armenian and Hellenic organisations
campaigned to have genocides formally acknowledged by government.
“This recognition will help our Assyrian nation and its organisations
in their attempt to strengthen our national existence in the homeland
as well as in the diaspora,” Assyrian Universal Alliance deputy
secretary-general Hermiz Shahen said.
“It will help our nation to find its rightful place among the nations
of the world and to creatively make its special contribution to the
universal development of mankind.”
By Lauren McMah
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
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