Will Italy mark April 24?
On the occasion of the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the book entitled "Diary" by U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in 1913-1916 Henry Morgenthau was presented at the historical "Refettorio" hall of the Italian parliamentary chamber of deputies. The book was first translated and published in Italian.
The event began with opening remarks by Chair of the Italy-Armenia Parliamentary Group, MP Sandra Zampa who mentioned that "this was the first event that the parliament organized on the topic of the Armenian Genocide and it is an important step toward the Italian parliament's recognition of the Armenian Genocide." Sandra Zampa also mentioned that she had prepared a draft law on the Armenian Genocide, which will be presented to the members of the Italian parliament's Chamber of Deputies.
In his speech, Ambassador Karapetyan specifically stressed the fact that "Armenian Genocide recognition is the most important issue not only for Armenia, but Turkey as well.
"Turkey is having a hard time coming to grips with its past and is doing everything it can to distort it," said the Ambassador.
According to Karapetyan, "by refusing to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia, keeping the border with Armenia closed, refusing to ratify the Turkey-Armenia Protocols even after they were signed and showing covert assistance to Azerbaijan in regard to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkey is not having a positive influence on peace and stability in the South Caucasus."
On April 20, Chair of the Italy-Armenia Parliamentary Group, S. Zampa and Vice-Chair A. Asciuti touched upon the Armenian Genocide and proposed to declare April 24 as the "Day of Remembrance of Armenian Genocide Victims in Italy" at the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate respectively.
The deputies and senators of the ruling and opposition parties delivered speeches on the topic and they mainly approved of the initiative. Taking into consideration the high level of cooperation between Italy and Turkey, the deputies stressed that "the Armenian Genocide is an issue concerning the protection of fundamental human rights."
"It is not targeted against Turkey, but is aimed at contributing to the Armenian-Turkish dialogue and reinstating confidence between both nations."
In his turn, the session's moderator, Vice-Chairman of the Senate V. Kitti mentioned that "silence is inadmissible and remembering the Armenians' tragedy is important for it not to be repeated and to prohibit violations of human rights."
