Denial of genocide is continuation of the crime – ambassador

PanARMENIAN.Net - The denial of genocide and other crimes against humanity should itself be considered a continuation of that crime, Armenia’s envoy to Lebanon said on April 23.

Speaking on the eve of the 97th anniversary of the beginning of the Armenian Genocide, ambassador Ashot Kocharian said that “[genocide] denial should be condemned and considered a continuation of genocide.”

“The consequences of the genocide have not been eliminated yet and the issue remains open,” Kocharian told The Daily Star.

At least 5,000 Armenians are expected to march to the Turkish Embassy in Rabieh today, April 24 to protest Ankara’s continued refusal to recognize the mass killings of Armenians as genocide.

“Despite the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Turkey has consistently been fighting against it by falsifying historical facts, propaganda campaigns and lobbying,” said Kocharian.

Armenia’s ambassador praised his state’s relationship with Lebanon, saying that Beirut’s recognition of the 1915 genocide and Lebanese Armenians’ vibrant participation in the country’s political, social and economic life make the relationship between the two countries unique.

Kocharian also said that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan established a state commission to unite the efforts of Armenia and those in the Diaspora, including in Lebanon, to coordinate events dedicated to marking the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Genocide.