AUCKLAND & WELLINGTON: The Armenian National Committee of New Zealand's (ANC-NZ) Advocacy Week will feature a delegation of advocates meeting with NZ parliamentarians, as well as events in both Auckland and Wellington.
On Wednesday 11th March, The Europe Institute of the University of Auckland will host a lecture titled "New Zealand and the Armenian Genocide: What are the Human Rights Costs of Aligning with Turkey?", which will feature Dr. Panayiotis Diamadis of the Australian Institute for Holocaust Studies and Dr. Maria Armoudian – Senior Lecturer of Politics & International Relations of University of Auckland.
On Thursday 12th March, following meetings with legislators in the nation's capital of Wellington, the lead singer of Grammy Award-winning American band System of a Down, Serj Tankian will address how the Armenian Genocide has personally impacted his life at a New Zealand Parliament event, hosted by Mr. Gareth Hughes MP.
Tankian, a New Zealand resident, is the grandchild of Armenian Genocide survivors and achieved fame as the frontman of System of a Down, which has sold over 40 million records worldwide. While still touring with the hard rock group, Tankian has also recorded success as a solo musician and singer, songwriter, film score composer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, poet and political activist. He will be joined at the event by both Dr. Diamadis and Dr. Armoudian.
ANC-NZ Chairperson, Hoory Yeldizian said this was an opportunity to advance the cause of Armenian Genocide recognition by New Zealand.
"New Zealand has a proud history of leading in issues of human rights, yet there are over 30 countries that have already recognised the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides committed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915, while Wellington remains indifferent because of pressure from Turkey," Yeldizian said.
"Our meetings and these events will inform more in leadership and among the greater community about the importance of recognising such injustices to prevent genocides from reoccurring," she added.
The University of Auckland Event, which is open to the public, is advertised below. People can confirm their attendance by
clicking here.
