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Cyprus marks 107th anniversary of Armenian genocide (Updated)

File Photo: Photis Photiou

Cyprus marked the 107th anniversary of the Armenian genocide on Sunday with statements of support for the people of Armenia and the community in Cyprus.

In a statement, Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou said April 24 was established as the Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide in which 1.5 million died “so that humanity would never forget one of the most heinous crimes that led to the cleansing of a people in a systematic and massive way”.

“One hundred and seven years have passed since then and, as every April 24 , we especially honour the memory of the innocent victims and express our respect and support to the people of Armenia who resisted with vigour and dignity and suffered enormous consequences from the genocide perpetrated against them,” he said.

Turkey, he added, still unpunished, continues to deny its crime against the Armenian people “which, unfortunately, have led to attitudes and behaviours on its part that blatantly violate due respect for every concept of law”.

Cyprus, he said, was one of the first countries in the world to recognise and condemn the Armenian genocide, and supported every effort to restore and recognise “the one and only historical truth”.

Ina Twitter post, President Nicos Anastasiades said the campaign for global recognition of the Armenian genocide was more urgent than ever.

“Together with our Armenian brothers, we continue the struggle. The memory of the horrific genocide must be kept alive. The cry ‘never again’ is more relevant today than ever,” Anastasiades wrote. 

The foreign ministry said that “Cyprus reaffirms its commitment to promote the recognition of the truth, the restoration of justice and the prevention of new genocides and crimes against humanity.”

Political parties also issued statements in remembrance and to condemn Turkey.

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