SYDNEY: The Hon. Walt Secord NSW MLC renewed his support for the self-determination of Nagorno Karabakh and the recognition of the Armenian Genocide ahead of his address to the Armenian Australian community as part of the Sydney commemoration of the Sumgait Massacres on March 16, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia).
In a speech he delivered in the State Parliament House on February 22, Secord recalled his visit to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh in December 2011 and urged his colleagues in Parliament to undertake a multiparty delegation to Armenia.
“The Armenian population in Artsakh can trace their presence there back to the sixth century BC. Currently, Artsakh is not internationally recognised as a State. Seized under Stalin, it has been subjected to decades of persecution.”
Secord rebuffed the Azeri side’s reaction to his visit to Nagorno Karabakh.
“I note that the Azerbaijan diplomatic representatives have been active and have protested to the Department of Foreign Affairs about my visit to Artsakh. I make no apologies for visiting this region. Further, I will not apologise for supporting the Armenian diaspora, for expanding my knowledge of the Armenian genocide or for visiting Artsakh.”
The MP then reaffirmed his support for the self-determination of Nagorno Karabakh. “I believe that Artsakh Armenians should have the right to determine their own political and economic future.”
Secord also stressed the need for Turkey to recognise the Armenian Genocide.
“Regrettably, there is not enough general awareness of the Armenian genocide. This matters because those who commit atrocities today rely on the fact that people will forget them tomorrow,” Secord said.
“It is time for Turkey to accept the past and to unequivocally recognise the Armenian genocide.”
The Executive Director of ANC Australia, Varant Meguerditchian, welcomed Secord’s remarks in Parliament.
“We commend the Hon. Walt Secord’s strong support for the right of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination and for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We especially welcome his efforts to garner support for a visit to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh by a multiparty Australian delegation,” Meguerditchian said.
“We look forward to hosting Secord at the upcoming ANC Australia public commemoration of the Sumgait massacres.”
Secord will share his experiences visiting Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh in his address to the Armenian-Australian community on March 16. The event, which will also feature excerpts from the documentary ‘Karabakh’s Wounds’, will commemorate the memory of the victims of the 1988 Sumgait massacres, which sparked the beginning of the movement to seek independence for Nagorno Karabakh. The event will be held starting 7:30 pm in the hall of the Armenian Cultural Centre, 259 Penshurst Street Willoughby.
