Karabakh rights discussed in Australian State Parliament

The Member for Davidson Jonathan O'Dea has spoken in NSW State Parliament about the right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh.

His address followed the Armenian National Committee of Australia's poster exhibition in Parliament House last week, which was held days after the 18th anniversary of the Liberation of Shoushi, a victory which led Nagorno Karabakh on a path to freedom from a long-oppressive Azerbaijan.

O'Dea told the Legislative Assembly: "I attended an excellent exhibition in the Jubilee Room of the New South Wales Parliament on various aspects of Armenian life, culture and history. There I was introduced to the long and epic story of Nagorno Karabakh.

"The exhibition coincided with the eighteenth anniversary commemoration of what is known as the liberation of Shoushi, which came at the end of a battle that means much to the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh and around the world, just as Gallipoli does to Australians."

O'Dea added: "Today, mindful of the principles outlined by Woodrow Wilson, I note my support for self-determination of all peoples, including Armenians.

"I honour those Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh and others around the world who, in spite of continued threats and a commitment to fight for self-determination, ultimately seek peace."

ANC Australia Executive Director Varant Meguerditchian thanked O'Dea for bringing light to such an important chapter in Armenia's history.