Prominent Aboriginal leader backs recognition of Ottoman-Turkish commited genocides

Senator Pat Dodson signed an Affirmation of Support for initiative seeking national recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides.

Senator Pat Dodson with community representatives

Source: Facebook/Armenian National Committee of Australia

Senator Pat Dodson is the latest in the list of politicians who have already announced their support for the ‘Joint Justice Initiative’.

Launched at Australia’s Parliament House a few months ago, the initiative marks a call to action for a national recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides committed by the Ottoman-Turkish Empire during World War I.

Mr Dodson had already met with representatives of the Armenian National Committee of Australia, the Assyrian Universal Alliance and the Australian Hellenic Council in February, and signed his affirmation of support this week.
"Senator Pat Dodson has an unimpeachable record in defence of the human rights of indigenous Australians, and we are honoured to have his support as we strive for Australian recognition of the genocides committed by Ottoman Turkey against the region's indigenous Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks," said Armenian National Committee of Australia Executive Director, Haig Kayserian.
Prior to his election to the Federal Senate in 2016, Mr Dodson had assumed various roles advocating for the rights of Indigenous Australians, including serving as Chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation and Commissioner at the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

Other parliamentarians who have officially backed the Joint Justice Initiative include Jason Falinski MP, Josh Burns MP, John Alexander MP, Senator Andrew Bragg and Bob Katter MP.

 


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By Zoe Thomaidou

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Prominent Aboriginal leader backs recognition of Ottoman-Turkish commited genocides | SBS Greek