Tribute to the memory of the vicitims of Sumgait massacres

01 March, 2015

On March 1^st, 2015 after the Holy Mass which was served in St. Nishan Armenain-Orthodox Church of Beirut the requiem service took place in commemoration of victims of Sumgait massacres of 1988.

In his speech the Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon bishop Shahe Panosyan spoke about inhuman crime perpetrated against Armenian population of Sumgayit and mentioned that Armenian people are obliged to unite and act together especially on the eve of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

Next speakers of the event were Rafayel Umudyan who delivered his speech on behalf of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Central Body of Lebanon and Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Lebanon Ashot Kocharian. Rafayel Umudyan mentioned that Sumgayit massacres were miniature of the Armenian Genocide and nowadays impunity as well as lack of international condemnation could result in new massacres and ethnic cleansings. While paying tribute to the memory of the Armenian victims he wished all the success to Armenian Army and Armenian peacekeepers who carry out their service in Lebanon within UNIFIL mission.

In his speech Ambassador Kocharian mentioned that 27 years ago massacres against the Armenian population perpetrated by the Azerbaijani authorities in Sumgait were the first manifestation of the policy of ethnic cleansing in the territory of the former Soviet Union. Ambassador presented some details of liberation movement of Artsakh and emphasized that the people of Nagorno Karabagh had to defend their right to live by losing their blood as the result of the war unleashed against them. Ambassador also mentioned that today Azerbaijani authorities continue their aggressive, destructive policy and anti-Armenian propaganda by disseminating militaristic statements, perpetrating provocative actions in the borders, violating ceasefire regime. Ambassador emphasized importance of the Pan-Armenian Declaration which was adopted unanimously at the session of the State Commission on Coordination of the events for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the context of the unity of the Armenian people.

While completing he expressed confidence that only thanks to the united and collective will it would be possible to strengthen the power of Motherland and implement all projects and initiatives of Panarmenian importance.

At the end of the ceremony the wreaths were laid near the cross stone (khachqar) dedicated to the memory of the victims of Sumgait on behalf of the Embassy of Armenia in Lebanon and the Armenian Genocide Centennial Central Body of Lebanon.

Members of Parliament, officials, the leaders and representatives of Armenian political parties, media and Armenian national structures, the whole staff of the Armenian Embassy as well as the representative of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in the Middle East were present at the event.

On the same day the Holy divine liturgy dedicated to the memory of the victims of Sumgait massacres was served at the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of the Armenian Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia under the presidency of His Holiness Aram A, catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.

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