1915 Genocide Survivors Condemn Victoria Parliament's Withdrawal from Recognition Proposal

MELBOURNE — The Victoria Parliament in Australia has officially withdrawn a proposal to recognise the 1915 Sayfo Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean), Armenian, and Greek communities.

This decision came in the wake of opposition from Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.

The move has sparked strong criticism from Australia's Syriac, Armenian, and Greek communities.

Initially brought forward by Greek MP Samantha Ratnam, the proposal was set to be discussed on October 29 but was halted on October 24 due to the Allan government’s refusal to support it.

An Australian government spokesperson commented on the situation, stating, “Many people have strong feelings about this issue, but now is not the right time for such a proposal.” The spokesperson cited the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as a factor heightening social divisions and emphasized the importance of fostering unity within communities rather than inciting further discord.

In response, a joint letter from politicians representing the affected communities was sent to Premier Allan, urging the recognition of the 1915 Genocide.

Since the withdrawal of the proposal, protests and letters of condemnation have continued. “How can the suffering of innocent women and children create discord in society? On the contrary, recognizing such atrocities will foster unity and hope for our peoples,” the representatives stated in their joint letter.

“These events are historical facts and are widely recognized by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century, meeting the criteria of genocide as defined by the United Nations,” they wrote in a letter addressed to Premier Allan and shared with Neos Kosmos.

“As an educational institution, we believe it is our shared responsibility, as descendants of these victims, to urge you, your party, and the Victorian Parliament to join South Australia, New South Wales, and Tasmania in officially recognizing these acts as genocide.”