Armenia expresses its gratitude to Bolivia for recognition of Armenian genocide

YEREVAN, December 1. / ARKA /. Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian has expressed gratitude today to both houses of Parliament of Bolivia for the official recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.

Senator Zonia Guardia Melgar, acting chairperson of the Senate of Bolivia, was quoted by Prensa Armenia as saying "the statement was taken unanimously on November 26 by both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, with the approval of the Foreign Ministry".

"We offer our full support, solidarity and comradeship to the Armenian people because our State Constitution, which is the law of laws, says no to discrimination, violation of human rights and genocide" she added.

"We express our gratitude to Houses of Parliament of Bolivia, its leadership and the friendly people of Bolivia for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. By this step in the run-up to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Bolivia has made an important contribution to the restoration of historical justice, recognition, condemnation and prevention of crimes against humanity and the fight against genocide denial," reads Nalbandian’s statement.

Both chambers of the Bolivian Parliament declare their firm commitment to human rights, truth, justice, solidarity and condemnation of all denialist policy regarding the genocide and crimes against the Armenian nation."

Armenian MPs at a meeting on Monday also expressed their gratitude to Bolivia’s parliament for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

"I want to express our gratitude to both Houses of Parliament of Bolivia, its s leadership and the friendly people of Bolivia for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire",  Armenian parliament speaker  Galust  Sahakyan said.

The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the twentieth century. Turkey has been denying it for decades. The Armenian genocide was recognized by tens of countries. The first was Uruguay that did so in 1965. Other nations are Russia, France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Canada, Venezuela, Argentina, 42 U.S. states. The Armenian Genocide was recognized by the Vatican, the European Parliament, the World Council of Churches and other international organizations. -0-