With this resolution, the AUTH Alumni Association would like to support the valiant efforts of Pontian Hellenism to raise international awareness of the Genocide of the Greeks Pontus. This year marks the 100 anniversary of the tragedy.
Genocide, a term which has been severely abused in Greece due to ideological and political exploitation, is a crime under International Law. According to the resolution adopted in December 2007 by the International Association for Genocide Scholars, Armenians, Assyrians and the Greeks of Pontus and Asia Minor all suffered from the Young Turks and the Kemalists.
A recent announcement by an international Conference, (organised by the Chair of Pontian Studies of AUTH), concluded that the Genocide of the Christian Populations of the Ottoman Empire must be seen as a single crime committed against the Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians.
This would pave the way for Anatolia to be homogenised, nationally and religiously, to create a new modern Turkish nation-state.
We call on Turkey to take actions which enable reconciliation with their past, and relieve the burden of denying that such horrific crimes occurred. We encourage a series of symbolic reparations, such as the creation of memorial and educational sites. These would demonstrate their commitment to the universal human values of peaceful coexistence and harmony.
FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pantelis Savvidis
President of Auth Alumni Association
Athina Pagoni
General Secretary of AuTH Alumni Association
