April 22, 2011 - 15:43 AMT
Three Armenian political parties to mark 96th anniversary of Armenian Genocide in Antelias

Three Armenian political parties will hold a gathering on April 24 at the Armenian Orthodox church in Antelias to mark the 96th anniversary of the 1915 genocide.

“This activity is to express our rejection to the policy of denial adopted by Turkey before the international community, and our refusal to engage in any negotiations before Turkey takes steps to compensate for the Armenian people’s moral and material losses,” a statement released by the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party said.

Another joint statement by the ARF Dashnaktsutyun, Hunchakian and Ramkavar parties said the failure of the international community to support the rights of the Armenian people would not be met with concessions or compromises.

Separately, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos Aram I Keshishian said he would decline from receiving well-wishers on Easter Sunday given that the holiday coincides with April 24, the annual date of the genocide, The Daily Star reported.