KeghartSarkis Assadourian, Toronto, 16 February 2012
Keghart.com received a copy of the below letter by Mr. Sarkis Assadourian, former member of the parliament and citizenship judge. It is reproduced verbatim. Ed.
Keghart.com received a copy of the below letter by Mr. Sarkis Assadourian, former member of the parliament and citizenship judge. It is reproduced verbatim. Ed.
Dear friends,
From the first day of my election to the Parliament of Canada on Oct. 25, 1993 , to this day, despite many obstacles, real and artificial, I never wavered from my strong conviction of justice and human rights. I honoured my conviction to the best of my abilities.
Sarkis Assadourian, Toronto, 16 February 2012
Keghart.com received a copy of the below letter by Mr. Sarkis Assadourian, former member of the parliament and citizenship judge. It is reproduced verbatim. Ed.
Keghart.com received a copy of the below letter by Mr. Sarkis Assadourian, former member of the parliament and citizenship judge. It is reproduced verbatim. Ed.
Dear friends,
From the first day of my election to the Parliament of Canada on Oct. 25, 1993 , to this day, despite many obstacles, real and artificial, I never wavered from my strong conviction of justice and human rights. I honoured my conviction to the best of my abilities.
To this end, I spoke in the Parliament on many occasions about the Armenian Genocide. On April 3rd, 1995, for the first time in history I introduced a motion titled "Crimes Against Humanity" for the purpose of an all inclusive museum in Ottawa.
On April 21, 2004, The House passed the historic motion recognizing the events of 1915 as a GENOCIDE
. On the very same day, I received a letter from Ms. Gail Asper (which was read during victory celebrations in my office) stating that " the Armenian Genocide will be prominently displayed in the Canadian Museum of Human rights." This was the result of my participation (as well as some prominent Canadian-Armenians) and involvement in this project with the late Izzy Asper, the original visionary of this Museum.As a member of Parliament, I was invited for the ground breaking ceremony in Winnipeg.
Today, I am pleased to share with you
all, two paragraphs from a letter I recently received from the "Canadian Museum of Human Rights", which was the result of our collective work and efforts." …The Breaking the Silence gallery will focus particularly on the five genocides officially recognized by Canada’s Parliament, including the Armenian genocide, and will highlight diaspora communities in Canada who have successfully fought to break the silence regarding genocides against their group. The experience of these groups will show the power of breaking the silence and finding a voice to gain recognition of large-scale violations.…
…Given your experience as a Member of Parliament during the time the Armenian genocide was officially recognized by the Government of Canada, we would be honoured if you would be willing to meet with us to discuss your experiences and insights into breaking the silence about the Armenian genocide…"
At this point, I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to our Prime Minister, The Right Hon. Stephen Harper, the Government of Canada, the Provincial Government of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg for their unreserved moral and financial support towards the realization of this unique project.
The Canadian Museum of Human Rights is a true reflection of our national aspirations and values espoused by our nation and by all victims of crimes against humanity all around the world.
The Canadian Museum of Human Rights is a true reflection of our national aspirations and values espoused by our nation and by all victims of crimes against humanity all around the world.
I am very pleased to inform you, that the Armenian Ambassador to Canada H. E. Armen Yeganian is committed to work with us and pledged the cooperation of the Armenian Genocide Museum in Yerevan Armenia with the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.
In the next few weeks and months, I will be sharing with you the news of progress achieved. At this point, your active participation in this project is highly recommended.
You may visit the website of " The Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg" for more information.
Best Regards,
Sarkis Assadourian
Attached is the partial list of all relevant debates and Motions that I had the privilege of introducing them in the House of Commons.
(35-1) M–282—Mr. Assadourian (Don Valley North)—Week commemorating
Man’s Inhumanity to His Fellow Man—Notice—April 14, 1994
Placed on the Order of Precedence—October 7, 1994
(36-1) M–502 —Mr. Assadourian (Brampton Centre)—Armenian genocide—Notice—October 27, 1998
Withdrawn—January 28, 1999
(36-1) M–570 —Mr. Assadourian (Brampton Centre)—Armenian genocide Notice—January 28, 1999
(37-1) M–285 — Mr. Assadourian (Brampton Centre) — Armenian genocide — Notice — February 27, 2001
Placed in the order of precedence — March 21, 2001
Dropped from the Order Paper — April 25, 2001
Reinstated in the order of precedence — April 30, 2001 (See Other Business No. 4)
(37-1) M–450 — Mr. Assadourian (Brampton Centre) — Armenian genocide
(37-2) M–237 — Mr. Assadourian (Brampton Centre) — Armenian genocide
— Notice — October 21, 2002
Withdrawn — February 5, 2003
(37-3) M–237 — Mr. Assadourian (Brampton Centre) — Armenian genocide
2nd Session — 37th Parliament
Notice — October 21, 2002
Withdrawn — February 5, 2003
Transcripts (Evidence) from the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (HERI) meetings held about Bill C- 224, Recognition of Crimes Against Humanity Act are available at the following link:
The committee report entitled “Report 3 – Subject matter of Bill C-224” is available at http://www.parl.gc.ca/CommitteeBusiness/ReportsResponses.aspx?Cmte=HERI&Stac=625457&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=36&Ses=2
Keghart
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