
Thomas Hammarberg,CE CE Commissioner for Human Rights NewsAm, 23 March 2010



“Historical controversies should not hold human rights hostage. One-sided interpretations or distortions of historical events have sometimes led to discrimination of minorities, xenophobia and renewal of conflict. It is crucial to establish an honest search for the truth” said Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in his latest Viewpoint published on March 22.



Thomas Hammarberg,CE CE Commissioner for Human Rights NewsAm, 23 March 2010



“Historical controversies should not hold human rights hostage. One-sided interpretations or distortions of historical events have sometimes led to discrimination of minorities, xenophobia and renewal of conflict. It is crucial to establish an honest search for the truth” said Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in his latest Viewpoint published on March 22.
Gross human rights violations in the past continue to affect relations in today’s Europe. In some cases the right lessons have been learned; genuine knowledge of history has facilitated understanding, tolerance and trust between individuals and peoples. However, some serious atrocities are denied or trivialised, which has created new tensions. There are also cases where violations in the past have been exploited in chauvinistic propaganda, causing division and hatred. Bogus interpretations of history have in fact been used to justify discrimination, racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.
“Coming to terms with history is always essential, but particularly crucial in cases of massive atrocities and human rights violations. Such crimes cannot be ignored without severe consequences. Prolonged impunity or lack of acknowledgment over several generations tends to create bitterness among those who identify themselves with the victims. This, in turn, can poison relations between people who were not even born when the events in question took place,” said the Commissioner.
He also states that “even more controversial has been — and is — the very description of the enforced mass displacement, the ensuing deaths as well as the outright killings of ethnic Armenians in 1915 under the Ottoman Empire. Even though this happened before the creation of the new Turkish republic, there has been unwillingness there to discuss these crimes. Writers and journalists who raised the issue were brought to trial. Now, the first steps towards recognizing the facts have at long last been taken — through academic discussions — but more needs to be done.”
What is important is an honest search for the truth and a sober, facts-based discussion about the different versions. Only then can the right lessons be learned, said Hammarberg.
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2 comments
Hammarberg himself is unwilling to discuss Turkey’s crimes
Hammarberg of the Council of Europe knows that 1915 was genocide, but refuses to say:
“Even more controversial has been — and is — the very description of the enforced mass displacement."
Displacement? It was mass murder. And the 1915 genocide is not "controversial," except to Turkey, The COE Parliamentary Assembly itself has described 1915 as "genocide."
Hammarberg is just another prettied-up, mealy-mouthed, denialist jerk. Don’t be fooled by this sort of thing.
What is he afraid of – that Turkey will get angry at him if he uses the G word? Some human rights commissioner he is. He is should be put on trial for lying.
Shame!
Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for human rights?! ya right! he is another anti-human and a Genocide Denier who should be punished and not listened to.
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