Friday, October 30 2015 08:56

 Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian has made a statement on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Senate of Paraguay

"Armenian welcomes the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Senate of Paraguay.  The continuous expansion of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide proves that crimes against humanity do not have statute of limitations and even a century after the Armenian Genocide the humanity continues to recognize and condemn that crime.

 With this step, the Senate of Paraguay makes an important input in international efforts to prevent genocides and crimes against humanity," the minister says in the statement. 

The Senate of the Republic of Paraguay unanimously approved an official recognition of the Armenian Genocide on October 29.  

"The Senate of the Republic of Paraguay recognizes the genocide of the Armenian people in the period 1915-1923, committed by the Turkish-Ottoman Empire, when commemorating this year the centenary of that crime against humanity," reads Article 1 of the statement presented by the Progressive Democratic Party through the efforts of the Armenian National Committee.

The first country to recognize that crime against humanity was Uruguay. Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by 44 United States as well as by 23 countries, including Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, Russia, Belgium, France, Poland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Vatican, Sweden, Lithuania.. Swizterland, Slovakia and Greece have even passed laws criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide. France is preparing a similar bill. The Genocide of Armenians was recognized also by the CoE, European Parliament, the UN Subcommittee to prevent discrimination and protect minorities, the UN Committee for Military Crimes, the World Church Council, as well as New South Wales, San-Paolo, Seara and Parana (Brazil), Wales, Schotland and Northern Ireland, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Balearic Islands (Spain), Quebec,  Kyev, Uzhgorod, Izyum. Goloseevskiy region (Ukraine), Crimea. Turkey still denies the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915- 1923.  Euronest PA and EPP have lately recognized and condemned the Genocide of Armenians.