President of Argentina Mauricio Macri has issued a statement on the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
"I am convinced that only high values and respect for principles must guide people throughout their lives, which will lead to peace and recognition of the past", the president said in the statement, according to prensaarmenia.com.ar. The Argentine president delivered the statement at an event in Buenos Aires dedicated to the anniversary of the Genocide. Several other officials, MPs, and Ambassadors were present at the event too.
It is necessary to remember the Armenian Genocide not to allow the same crimes to happen again, he said.
"The Armenian Genocide was the overture of the Holocaust and was denied for many years. We took an important step in Argentina by declaring April 24 the day of tolerance and respect between peoples", Provisional President of the Argentine Senate Federico Pinedo said.
The first country to recognize that crime against humanity was Uruguay. Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by 44 United States as well as by 23 countries, including Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, Russia, Belgium, France, Poland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Vatican, Sweden, Lithuania.. Swizterland, Slovakia and Greece have even passed laws criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide. France is preparing a similar bill. The Genocide of Armenians was recognized also by the CoE, European Parliament, the UN Subcommittee to prevent discrimination and protect minorities, the UN Committee for Military Crimes, the World Church Council, as well as New South Wales, San-Paolo, Seara and Parana (Brazil), Wales, Schotland and Northern Ireland, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Balearic Islands (Spain), Quebec, Kyev, Uzhgorod, Izyum. Goloseevskiy region (Ukraine), Crimea. Turkey still denies the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915- 1923. Euronest PA and EPP have lately recognized and condemned the Genocide of Armenians.