Armenian News - Short films on Armenian Genocide

Short film on the Armenian Genocide

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=631387416951596

Websites relating to the centenary;

http://armeniangenocide100.org/en/

 

http://armeniangenocidecentennial.org/

 

http://www.recognize1915.am/

 

http://www.armeniansgenocide.am/en/news/15

 

http://medzyeghern.tumblr.com/

 

http://100years100facts.com/

CBS NEWS - ROBERT FISK ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VczJsh4L2ik&feature=youtu.be

derbynews.org.uk

Turkish Embassy tries to censor speeches on Armenian Genocide 

at Holocaust Memorial Day in Derby
By Russell Pollard

January 30, 2015

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) in the UK occurs on the 27th January 

each year to commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet troops 

in 1945. Formal events are arranged in most major cities to remember 

this occasion as well as the subsequent Genocides which have taken 

place across the world. 

Derby has an independent ( not Council lead, or funded) HMD Committee 

which organises a range of events on HMD, itself, as well as during the 

week. As this year marks the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of 

Auschwitz, Sir Anish Kapoor was commissioned to design a candle; 

0 were made. A number of them are to be sited in Auchwitz and other 

locations, the majority were given to those cities whose events reached 

the quality standard required by the HMD UK committee. Derby was 

successful in securing one of these candles. 

2015 is also the 20th Anniversary of the massacres at Srebrenica, and 

this together with the Holocaust were to remembered as part of HMD 

under the banner of “Keep the Memory Alive”. Although Derby does not 

have an Armenian Community I had queried with the Committee why 

the Armenian Genocide was not fully reflected in the 2014 events. 

My question was too late to take effect in 2014 but I was invited to 

support the 2015 events. 

It was agreed by the planning team that the Candle would be lit on 

3 occasions

    • Bosnia-Hercegovina Centre – 20th Anniversary – Srebrenica
    • Derby Cathedral – 100th Anniversary – Armenian Genocide 
    • QUAD Arts Centre – 70th Anniversary – Holocaust. 6X4A3351

Also, I was given the opportunity to speak about the Armenian Genocide, 

and the impact on the Armenian people, today , in Nagorno-Karabakh, 

during the main events at QUAD Arts Centre. This was also to include 

other talks, plus music, dance, and drama. At face value – an elegant, 

and well-planned day. What was the problem?

Transcript of my speech
The Armenian Genocide is not formally recognised in the UK, and 

many countries in the world, as a “Genocide”. The word “Genocide” 

was not created until 1948, albeit that the Armenian Genocide, as 

well as the Holocaust were the inspirations for its initiation. One of 

the main deniers of the use of the term “Genocide” is Turkey, the 

latter day incarnation of the Young Turks of the Ottoman Empire 

who perpetrated these crimes. 

Even after 100 years, Turkey is extremely sensitive about the use of 

this word and will go to great lengths to distribute propaganda, and use 

tactics to silence dissenters. 

Despite the strict guidance of the HMD UK Committee, the team in 

Derby decided to proceed with including the Armenian Genocide, 

and all of the publicity referred to that term. In the few days prior 

to the HMD event on 27th January 2015 , the Mayor of Derby 

received a communication from the Turkish Embassy in London 

to “request” that references to the word “Genocide” should be 

dropped, and more circumspect language should be used. Their 

“complaint” was compounded as we had invited a representative 

from the Armenian Embassy to join the events in Derby. 

A respectful response was sent back to the Turkish Embassy which 

stated that we would be happy to work with them in future. 

The passing references made by the Mayor in his opening speech, 

and a short statement, read out in the Chapel, were changed from 

“Genocide” to “atrocity” following this direct request. However, the 

introductory speech by Graham Falgate ( Chair of the HMD Committee 

in Derby) and mine, at the QUAD, remained unaltered. In fact it provided 

extra material as we could explain to the audience that we had been 

in receipt of undue influence from the Turkish Embassy regarding our 

stance on the Armenian Genocide. A fact that reinforced the message 

of the speech. 

The implications of this action were profound on freedom of 

speech in the UK. Just to repeat…the Turkish Government were 

insisting that we change what we said, and how we said something 

in Derby, in the United Kingdom, on something that happened 

100 years ago! 

So my message, that the Genocide of the Armenians is “unfinished 

business” for the Turks through on-going intimidation and denial, was 

exhibited so clearly to the audience in the QUAD on Tuesday . It was 

a testament to the resolve of the HMD Committee that we refused to 

change one word of our programme at the QUAD. It has reinforced 

our resolve to include the Armenian Genocide in the events every 

year. 

Thanks to the Turkish Government, for highlighting to many people 

who knew nothing of the Armenian Genocide, that you have something 

very serious to hide about your role in the killing of 1.5 million Armenians 

in 1915….and your continuing intentions, today !

Regrettably, there are rumours that the Westminster Abbey service

on 24 April may not proceed as planned.

It's not possible to know one way or the other, but expect that the 

Foreign & Commonwealth Office will cave in to Turkish pressure 

more sooner than later.