Armenian Genocide commemoration ceremony

24 April, 2014

In commemoration of the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide a manifestation was organized by the Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden at the Stockholm's Sergels Torg square. Speeches were delivered by Artak Apitonian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia, members of the Swedish Riksdag Mr. Hans Linde (Left Party), Mr. Fredrik Malm (Liberal Party), Mr. Mats Pertoft (Green Party), as well as Mr. Garlen Mansourian on behalf of the Union of Armenian Association in Sweden and the representative of the Union of Assyrians in Sweden.

Before the manifestation at the Sergels Torg a mass rally was organized by the Homenetmen Sweden with participation of around 800 people. The rally started with a memorial service rendered by the pastors of Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches at the Stockholm’s Karlaplan square. The participants of the rally marched to the Turkish Embassy in Sweden with patriotic songs and posters.

AMBASSADOR APITONIAN'S STATEMENT

Dear friends,

We joined here to commemorate the memory of the innocent victims of very first industrialized genocide of modern history. This horrendous crime against humanity and civilization was meticulously planned and stage by stage executed by Ottoman Turkish authorities with a clear aim – to take possession of the land, the property and the heritage by exterminating Armenians and other native people, Assyrians, Pontiac Greeks living on the same soil for millennia.

The mass murders, deportations, enslavement of the Armenians were viewed as routine trivialities. Every Armenian, from Yerevan to San Paolo, from Stockholm to Canberra, feels distressing consequences of that. We have passed our road to Golgotha.

But against all the calculations of culprits, our nation survived, and not merely survived. We have not merely survived - we recreated our independent statehood, victorious statehood. We have not merely survived - anywhere Armenian refugees took shelter they became talented part of the society with many many success stories to be proud of. We have not merely survived - today we stand here as in hundreds of other cities in the world to demand justice. And we have no doubt that the justice will prevail.

And I cannot be but optimistic since we are surrounded by friends who stood by our side, by the side of historical justice, who are the bearers of the most cherished humanist values. Today we do not only express our gratitude to all the countries and peoples who received our compatriots escaping from the Genocide. Today we express our gratitude to all nations, and Sweden among them, who recognized and condemned that horrendous crime. And I am proud that the persons who were at very heart of Swedish Parliament’s decision are today here. You continue the best traditions of the best sons of Swedish nation – Alma Johansson, Raoul Wallenberg, and many, many others. Armenian people will remember this forever.

Today, we are on the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Today yet the Genocide continues. For us one thing is incontestable: the policy of denial is a direct continuation of the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, denialistic policy of nowadays Turkish government becomes more “sophisticated”, becomes more, so to speak, “adaptable”, and from time to time, specially on the eve of April 24, there come singular, propagandistic steps, so-called “conciliatory gestures” towards Armenians. All these steps have one distinct feature, they are heavily media-oriented, reconciliation is the last thing they would care. And they have one overwhelming aim – to pass through another wave of Armenian and world community demands for truth and justice.

Well, one of those steps you have been witnessed yesterday. Prime Minister Erdogan’s statement contained all recycled ideas of Turkish propaganda – calls for historical revisionism, leveling the victim and the culprit. Huge number of factors put doubts on Erdogan’s sincerity. The continued hostile policy pursued against Armenia through blockade and isolation attempts, heavily financed Genocide denial campaign, an unconditional support to militaristic Azerbaijan, his last statements made couple of days ago in Baku… considering only those few factors not a grain but pecks of salt are needed for Prime Minister’s statement to be taken.

Prime Minister called for dialogue, isn’t it ironic? As if it was not Erdogan’s lead government with whom we negotiated and signed Armenian-Turkish protocols. And it was not his Government who refused to forward its ratification.

And I stress: we do not consider the Turkish society as our enemy. We remember and are grateful to all those Turks who lent a helping hand to their Armenian neighbors and friends during the massacres. We remember and are grateful to those Turkish intellectuals who despite the repressive state machinery tried to illuminate Turkish society on the crime perpetrated.

We still think that Genocide centennial is a chance to repent. Without true recognition and repentance, without atonement there’s no justice.

And I will end my statement by words of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan:

“The year 2015 should convey a strong message to Turkey. The attitude toward Armenia can no longer be measured by words because it presumes clear steps: the opening of the closed borders and the establishment of normal relations. “

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