The Australian Hellenic Council (AHC) has extended its gratitude to Coalition MP Michael Sukkar for his advocacy for the recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek genocides, as well as the Great Famine of Mount Lebanon.
The member for Deakin, has voiced his support in acknowledging these atrocities.
In a statement, AHC Chairman Peter Stefanidis underscored the importance of official recognition, calling it “an act of historical truth and a gesture of respect to the descendants of those affected.”
Stefanidis also expressed appreciation for Sukkar’s support and urged the Victorian Parliament to follow the lead of New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania, where similar motions have already passed.
“Recognition can contribute to healing, education, and preventing future human rights violations,” he added.
Sukkar’s message to the Victorian Parliament underscored the systematic nature of these genocides, perpetrated between 1915 and 1923 under the Ottoman Empire.
Sukkar, a senior Coalition MP, noted that over two million Christian minorities – Greeks, Armenians, Assyrians, and Maronite Lebanese – died in massacres, death marches, and starvation and those that survived were forced on mass deportations. Sukkar’s call to action said Stefanidis “emphasises the importance of remembering these tragedies, as the UN’s International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide looms on December 9.
The AHC stressed that recognising these genocides is “crucial not only to commemorate those who perished but also to educate future generations on the grave consequences of hatred and intolerance.”
A fortnight ago, the Victorian Greens’ leader Samantha Ratnam was ready to present the motion for the recognition of the genocides but didn’t, after it became clear that the Victorian government would not support it. Also Greens’ leader Adam Bandt intervened to stop her in fear of losing Muslim Australians’ support given the Greens’ active support for Palestinians in the Gaza War.
It looks like the Victorian Opposition may land on a position on the matter now that a senior federal Coalition member, such as Sukkar has intervened.
