U.S., French, Canadian, and Greek leaders show solidarity with  Armenian people 

ArmInfo.The U.S., French, Canadian, and Greek leaders have shown solidarity with Armenia on the  occasion of the 108th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. 

A statement by U.S. President Joe Biden posted the White House  website reads: 

"Today, we pause to remember the lives lost during the Meds  Yeghern-the Armenian genocide- and renew our pledge to never forget.

"On April 24, 1915, Ottoman authorities arrested Armenian  intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople-the start of a  systematic campaign of violence against the Armenian community. In  the years that followed, one and a half million Armenians were  deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths-a tragedy that  forever affected generations of Armenian families. 

"As we join nations around the world in remembering this painful  history, we also reflect on the resilience and resolve of the  Armenian people. So many of those who survived were forced to begin  new lives in new lands-including the United States. Here and around  the world, the Armenian people have met the evil of hate with hope.  They rebuilt their communities. They nurtured their families and  preserved their culture.  They strengthened our nation. They also  told their stories-and those of their ancestors-to remember and to  ensure that genocide like the one that happened 108 years ago is  never again repeated.  

"Today, let us renew this pledge. Let us recommit to speaking out  against hate, standing up for human rights, and preventing  atrocities. And together, let us redouble our efforts to forge a  better future-one where all people can live with dignity, security,  and respect."

French President Emmanuel Macron posted the following message on his  Facebook account in Armenian: 

"On April 24, France is marking the 108th anniversary of the Armenian  Genocide. This is a Day in remembrance of the victims. This is a  symbol of revival of the Armenian people. It is also evidence of  France's staunch support for Armenia."  

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement on Armenian  Genocide Memorial Day on April 24.

The statement reads: 

"Today, we join Armenian communities in Canada and around the world  to mark Armenian Genocide Memorial Day. We reflect on the atrocities  committed against the Armenian people between 1915 and 1923, and we  remember those who lost their lives and all those who endured  unspeakable suffering.

"We also stand in solidarity with the descendants of the victims and  all those who continue to live with the intergenerational trauma of  this unthinkable tragedy. Their strength and resilience remind us of  our collective responsibility to stand up against hatred in all its  forms - whenever and wherever it occurs.  Everyone deserves to live a  life free of stigma, persecution, and discrimination.

"In Canada, April is Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and  Prevention Month. This is a time for Canadians to remember all  victims of genocide around the world, denounce the hatred that leads  to these tragedies, and reflect on how we can prevent them from  happening again. Canada will always stand up against injustice,  intolerance, and xenophobia, and we will continue to promote peace  and justice for everyone.

"As we commemorate Armenian Genocide Memorial Day, I invite all  Canadians to learn about this dark chapter in human history, pay  tribute to the victims, and stand in solidarity with the Armenian  community, including Canadians of Armenian heritage who continue to  help make Canada the strong and inclusive country we know. Through  learning and dialogue, we can make sure such atrocities never happen  again and we can build a world free from prejudice." 

"Today, April 24th, dedicated to the memory of the victims of the  Armenian Genocide, we pay tribute to those who were so unjustly  exterminated. We are vigilant and react to any act that incites  discrimination and violence against our fellow human beings," reads a  tweet by Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis. 

Former Ambassador of France to Armenia Jonathan Lacote posted the  following message on his Facebook account: 

"April 24th is the day or remembrance for the Armenian Genocide.

'I told to the Silence the story of the extermination of the Armenian  people. I made the Silence attentive to the fact that it was of  paramount importance to talk about it openly. I say: everyone should  know about it! Because how will we be able to prevent a new  extermination, if everyone claims to have known nothing and to have  prevented nothing because these are things that we cannot even  imagine?'

[Edgar Hilsenrath, "The Story of the Last Thought"] 'Why is a man  punished when he kills another man? Why is the murder of a million  people a lesser crime than the murder of a single individual?'

[Raphael Lemkin, after the Tehlirian trial]

'These quotes seem to form a fictitious dialogue between the  German-Jewish writer Edgar Hilsenrath and the jurist Raphael Lemkin  (born in Lviv and creator of the word "genocide") and remind us that  genocide is the work of those who commit it but also of those who  deny it, of those who leave it unpunished and of those who forget it.

'France recognised the Armenian Genocide by the Law of January 29th  2001. To this day Armenians are threatened because they are  Armenians. To this day peoples are threatened with genocide.

'Stand on the right side of memory, truth and justice.'"