Assyrian genocide Recognition

Assyrian Universal Alliance

Press Release 7 August 2002

Today, in a historically unprecedented move at the request of the Assyrian Universal Alliance, the New South Wales Local Government Association has recognized the Assyrian Genocide. This is the first instance of a governmental authority in the world recognizing the Assyrian Genocide. The NSW Local Government Association has further passed a motion asking the Australian Local Government Association to also recognize the Assyrian Genocide. The President of the Executive of the NSW Local Government Association, Councilor Peter Wood also proposed that the Association send letters to the Premier of NSW, Hon. Robert Carr and the Prime Minister of Australia, Hon. John Howard, to urge them to recognize the Assyrian Genocide.

This constitutes an extraordinary moment in the history of the Assyrian nation. The Assyrian nation waited for 87 years for the recognition of genocide perpetrated against them by the Ottoman Turkish government under the leadership of a chauvinistic party, the Young Turks. The Young Turks had the intention of the elimination all the Christian peoples residing in the Ottoman territories. Although it is relative widely known that an Armenian genocide occurred in 1915, the world is unaware that a "forgotten holocaust" against Assyrian also took place. In fact nearly two-thirds of the Assyrian population disappeared under the Ottoman sword. Had it not been for the resilience of the Assyrian peoples who survived under adverse conditions for several millennia in their historical homelands, the world would not have known their existence. The Assyrian community would like to thank the NSW Local Government Association for having the courage to acknowledge and recognize this historical injustice.

The Assyrian Universal Alliance would also like to thank Councilor Peter Wood, President of the NSW Local Government Association for his strong support and Councilor Anwar Khosaba, Mayor of Fairfield for his tireless effort to represent the Assyrian community and his endeavors in encouraging the NSW Local Government Association to recognize the Assyrian Genocide. Special thanks are also due to Ms Suzy David who conducted research and prepared and presented a speech to the Executive of the Association and to Dr. Racho Donef for his attendance, support and valuable input in to the presentation.

The Assyrians have a long history of immigration to Australia. Atrocities committed against Assyrians in the Middle East forced them out of their homeland. Australia provided refuge for many Assyrians feeling persecution. In turn, the Assyrians contributed greatly to the development of this country as a great, multicultural and dynamic nation. Ms Suzy concluding her talk she urged the Association to recognize the Assyrian Genocide because "This vibrant community cannot cease mourning its tragic past when its people remember that they are the children and grandchildren of those who even to date have vivid memories of the horrific events of a genocide that shaped their present status as a stateless nation. Today, Assyrians live in a multitude of countries in the Diaspora. They do not have a choice of living in an Assyrian homeland. There is no Assyria. For the Assyrians here home is Australia. It is in this context and in the context of universal human rights that the Assyrian community, as part of the Australian community pleads that this ethnic, religious and cultural genocide of their people be acknowledged and recognized.

" Hermiz Shahen Secretary Assyrian Universal Alliance-Australia Chapter

P.O. Box 34, Fairfield,

N.S.W. 1860, Australia

Fax (02) 9610 2499

Tel (02) 9823 5340

NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA

-RECOGNIZES ASSYRIAN GENOCIDE

NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA -RECOGNIZES ASSYRIAN GENOCIDE
Assyrian Universal Alliance Press Release 7 August 2002 Today, in a historically unprecedented move at the request of the Assyrian Universal Alliance, the New South Wales Local Government Association has recognized the Assyrian Genocide. This is the first instance of a governmental authority in the world recognizing the Assyrian Genocide. The NSW Local Government Association has further passed a motion asking the Australian Local Government Association to also recognize the Assyrian Genocide. The President of the Executive of the NSW Local Government Association, Councilor Peter Wood also proposed that the Association send letters to the Premier of NSW, Hon. Robert Carr and the Prime Minister of Australia, Hon. John Howard, to urge them to recognize the Assyrian Genocide. This constitutes an extraordinary moment in the history of the Assyrian nation. The Assyrian nation waited for 87 years for the recognition of genocide perpetrated against them by the Ottoman Turkish government under the leadership of a chauvinistic party, the Young Turks. The Young Turks had the intention of the elimination all the Christian peoples residing in the Ottoman territories. Although it is relative widely known that an Armenian genocide occurred in 1915, the world is unaware that a "forgotten holocaust" against Assyrian also took place. In fact nearly two-thirds of the Assyrian population disappeared under the Ottoman sword. Had it not been for the resilience of the Assyrian peoples who survived under adverse conditions for several millennia in their historical homelands, the world would not have known their existence. The Assyrian community would like to thank the NSW Local Government Association for having the courage to acknowledge and recognize this historical injustice. The Assyrian Universal Alliance would also like to thank Councilor Peter Wood, President of the NSW Local Government Association for his strong support and Councilor Anwar Khosaba, Mayor of Fairfield for his tireless effort to represent the Assyrian community and his endeavors in encouraging the NSW Local Government Association to recognize the Assyrian Genocide. Special thanks are also due to Ms Suzy David who conducted research and prepared and presented a speech to the Executive of the Association and to Dr. Racho Donef for his attendance, support and valuable input in to the presentation. The Assyrians have a long history of immigration to Australia. Atrocities committed against Assyrians in the Middle East forced them out of their homeland. Australia provided refuge for many Assyrians feeling persecution. In turn, the Assyrians contributed greatly to the development of this country as a great, multicultural and dynamic nation. Ms Suzy concluding her talk she urged the Association to recognize the Assyrian Genocide because "This vibrant community cannot cease mourning its tragic past when its people remember that they are the children and grandchildren of those who even to date have vivid memories of the horrific events of a genocide that shaped their present status as a stateless nation. Today, Assyrians live in a multitude of countries in the Diaspora. They do not have a choice of living in an Assyrian homeland. There is no Assyria. For the Assyrians here home is Australia. It is in this context and in the context of universal human rights that the Assyrian community, as part of the Australian community pleads that this ethnic, religious and cultural genocide of their people be acknowledged and recognized. " Hermiz Shahen Secretary Assyrian Universal Alliance-Australia Chapter P.O. Box 34, Fairfield, N.S.W. 1860, Australia Fax (02) 9610 2499 Tel (02) 9823 5340