Swiss Armenians urge Armenia`s premier to re-affirm commitment to  international recognition of Armenian Genocide 

ArmInfo.Below is a press release from the Council of Armenian and Armenophile Associations of Switzerland (CAAS), which reads:

"Reaction to the statements made by the Prime Minister of Armenia in  Zurich on 24 January 2025

"The Council of Swiss Armenian and Armenophile Associations (CAAS)  expresses its deep concern about the statements made by the Prime  Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, during his recent meeting with  leaders of the Swiss Armenian Diaspora in Zurich. These statements,  which we consider controversial, undermine the memory of the Armenian  Genocide and raise legitimate questions about the Armenian  government's commitment to a full understanding of this crime against  humanity and its international recognition.

"For more than half a century, recognition of the Armenian Genocide  has been a priority for the descendants of the victims and for  organizations working for historical justice. As the Armenian  Diaspora in Switzerland, we believe that minimizing or relativizing  the importance of this recognition is incompatible with the  expectations of the worldwide Armenian community.

"We recall that the international recognition of the Armenian  Genocide is based on indisputable historical facts confirmed by  hundreds of researchers, academic institutions and several states,  including Switzerland, which officially recognized the Armenian  Genocide in 2003 through its National Council, but most importantly  by the Republic of Armenia itself. This struggle for recognition  transcends political divisions and embodies a universal quest for  justice.

"CAAS urges the Armenian government and its representatives to live  up to their responsibilities.  Recognition of the Armenian Genocide  must never be compromised by political or diplomatic considerations,  and must not allow opponents of the Armenian nation to use such  statements for negative purposes. We call on the Prime Minister to  clarify his remarks and unequivocally reaffirm his commitment to  international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

"Should the Armenian government persist in abandoning the struggle  for international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, it would be  the duty of CAAS, the Diaspora in general, and all allies of this  cause to continue this historic struggle without respite. The memory  of the victims, the honor of their descendants, and the fundamental  principles of justice and truth demand that this struggle never be  abandoned, regardless of the political circumstances or obstacles  encountered.

"We also call upon the Armenian Diaspora and friends of the Armenian  people to remain united and vigilant in the face of any attempt at  revisionism or abandonment of the fundamental values that animate our  common cause. The memory of the victims, the dignity of their  descendants, and the lessons of history cannot be sacrificed in the  name of short-term interests.

"Like the Armenian government, we seek a just and lasting peace in  the region. In particular, the CAAS was established to express our  solidarity with the Republic of Armenia, especially with regard to  its national security and territorial integrity. Therefore, it is  imperative that the Diaspora and Armenia remain united and consistent  in their commitment to international law, justice and historical  truth at this difficult time. CAAS reiterates its unwavering  commitment to the recognition and prevention of genocide and will  continue to work with its partners in Switzerland and internationally  to combat the commission of new crimes, preserve memory and promote  justice.

"Council of Armenian and Armenophile Associations of Switzerland  (CAAS)

"Geneva, 27 January 2025"

Earlier, the Prime Minister of Armenia, at a meeting with  representatives of the Armenian community in Switzerland, questioned  the fact of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. "We must  understand what happened and why it happened. And how we perceived  it, through whom we perceived it: how did it happen that in 1939  there was no agenda for the Armenian Genocide, but in 1950 it  appeared? How this happened, we should understand or should not  understand," the Armenian Prime Minister noted.  Independent experts  are inclined to believe that he is apparently either unaware that the  term Genocide was introduced into circulation by genocide scholar  Raphael Lemkin only in 1944, or he is deliberately trying to create a  narrative that "this issue was artificially raised by the Soviet  Union to put pressure on Turkey."