Canadian Armenians Ask PM Harper To Raise Genocide Issue at G20 in Toronto

Canadian Action on the Armenian Issue has prepared a petition that can be sent to Canada's Prime Minsiter Steven Harper over the Armenian Genocide.

The petition reads as follows:

"Dear Prime Minister Harper,

"As you are aware, the Turkish government is still in a state of denial over the Genocide it committed against the Armenian people from 1915-1923 under the Young Turk regime. This denial and lack of action or consequences from international bodies has taken away from the gravity of the events and has allowed the continued oppression of minorities in the Republic of Turkey.

"I ask of you to take advantage of the upcoming G20 Summit in Toronto to put this matter onto the summit agenda by raising the following three issues:

1. Re-affirming recognition of the Armenian Genocide and encouraging nations that have not yet recognized it to do so;

2. Pressing Turkey to stop the denial and not only recognize but to also provide restitution for the injustices it committed during the Genocide; and,

3. Urging the Turkish government to cease its oppression of minorities by extending support to Christian Patriarchates and repealing Article 301 of its Penal Code.

"I would like to thank you in advance for your consideration, as well as express my gratitude for the progressive and visionary stance you have adopted with respect to this issue by recognizing the Armenian Genocide. I look forward to seeing you represent the concerns of Canadian citizens expressed above on the international stage in June at the upcoming G20 Summit."

We ask that you to take a moment to petition Prime Minister Harper to bring these issues to the G20 Summit taking place in Toronto, Canada, June 26-27, 2010.

The petition is available at http://www.g20humanrights.com/action_for_armenia?