Moscow commemorates victims of Armenian genocide

On April 20, the Big Hall of the Central House of Writers hosted a party in memory of victims of the Armenian genocide of 1915. The event dedicated to the 96th anniversary of the tragic events in Turkey was held by the organization "Russian-Armenian Commonwealth" in cooperation with the Embassy of Armenia in Russia.

Russian State Duma Deputies, diplomats and public figures came to commemorate 1.5 million of genocide victims and express their condolences to the Armenian people.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, said that more and more countries of the world recognize the fact of the monstrous crime committed against Armenians. However, as stated by the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), Russia should render the international legal assistance to the fraternal people of Armenia and to form the respective public opinion.

In the opinion of Kira Lukyanova, a State Duma Deputy from the "Spravedlivaya Rossiya" (Fair Russia) Party, it was the Armenians' genocide that became the starting point of the terrible crimes against humanity in the 20th century. Every nation, as she said, must remember its history. The Armenian people should never forget the heroism and great sacrifice of their ancestors, who martyred for their faith.

Ms Lukyanova offered to address the Armenian Apostolic Church with an initiative to recognize the victims of the genocide as saints. This proposal was supported by Vladimir Zakharov, Director of the Institute of Political Studies of the Black Sea-Caspian Sea Region.

"Every year in April, the Armenians throughout the world, our allies and friends, raise their voices against the genocide crimes," said Yuri Navoyan, president of the organization "Russian-Armenian Commonwealth" and a member of the Board of the Forum of Armenian Organizations of Moscow. "The international conjuncture does not allow the world community to give due justice and recognize the Armenian genocide. But we are not giving up; and our most reliable friend - Russia - is with us."

As of today, more than 20 countries have recognized the Armenian genocide; among them: Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, Russia, Belgium, France, Poland, Slovakia, The Netherlands, Uruguay, Greece, Cyprus, Vatican and others. The genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1922 was also recognized by 44 US states. The European Parliament also recognized, by its resolution adopted on June 18, 1987, the genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire and demanded that the Council of Europe put pressure on the Turkish government towards recognition of this fact.