Today is the Annual Remembrance Day for the Armenian Genocide, and Sinn Féin’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Seán Crowe TD, has reiterated his calls for the Irish Government to recognise the Armenian Genocide.

This is the Centenary Anniversary of the Genocide which occurred in 1915, when approximately 1.5 million people were killed.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Today the Armenian people are remembering the Genocide against their decedents which was carried out by the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

“It is important that the world, but especially Europeans, remember this day and officially recognise the Genocide which was carried out against the Armenian people. Surely if we do not begin to accept what happened in the past and try to airbrush atrocities like this terrible wrong, then we cannot begin to learn from mistakes and move on.

“Collectively we need ensure that we oppose any manipulation and distortion of history. We need to end the deafening silence of the international community which only adds to the sense of hurt and wrong carried out against the Armenian people.

“Ireland needs to join the 22 countries which solemnly recognise this genocide and end its silence.

“I was extremely disappointed that Government TDs and Senators refused to support a motion at the Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday which called on the Government to recognise this awful genocide which claimed the lives of a suspected 1.5 million people.

“On this important day for Armenia I am calling once again on the Irish Government to change its current policy of refusing to take a formal position and to officially recognise what occurred 100 years ago as a genocide.”

ENDS