OCTOBER 5TH, 2011: RAOUL WALLENBERG DAY
Following an initiative of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, governors across the U.S. have declared October 5th, 2011, as Raoul Wallenberg Day in their States.
The 2011 proclamations have an additional importance as this year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the day in which Raoul Wallenberg became the second person in history to be awarded Honorary U.S. Citizenship by the United States Congress.
The IRWF is grateful to the States of Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Utah, and West Virginia for joining its efforts to honor the courage and heroism of Raoul Wallenberg and to spread the humanitarian message of his feats.
For more information click here.
RAOUL WALLENBERG FOUNDATION HAILS NICOLAS SARKOZY STATEMENTS ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
One of the ongoing projects of the IRWF is investigating and honoring rescuers related to Armenia – Armenians who rescued Jews during Holocaust; and Turks who rescued Armenians during the Genocide. Therefore, it was with great interest that the news on the French President’s recent visit to Armenia were closely followed at the IRWF.
“The Armenian genocide is a historical reality. Collective denial is even worse than individual denial” – said President Sarkozy in Yerevan. Related to this and other important declaration made in Armenia, the IRWF sent an official letter to President Sarkozy saluting his efforts and determination to talk about this important matter.
To read the letter click here.
LEGADO, A FILM PRODUCED BY THE IRWF WAS SCREENED IN CHICAGO
On October 30th the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago presented “Legado,” an award-winning documentary produced by the IRWF. Screened in front of the full auditorium, “Legado”tells the story of the Jewish colonization in Argentina. The Chicago presentation also counted with the participation of Rabbi Dr. Victor Mirelman, a leading expert in the history of the Jews in Latin America, who introduced the film and lead a post-screening discussion.
For more information click here.
RAOUL WALLENBERG FOUNDATION RELEASES E-BOOK ON GENOCIDES
As part of its growing collection of the e-books, the IRWF published the excerpts from the book “The Roots of Evil: The Origins of Genocide and Other Group Violence” by professor Ervin Staub, one of the leading scholars in genocide and violence prevention studies, who as a young boy in Budapest was rescued by Raoul Wallenberg.
With the title “The Turkish Genocide Against the Armenians” the e-book discusses this complex subject from the perspectives of history and cultural differences, highlighting the role of the bystanders.
To read the e-book click here.
IN THE PRESS:
THE FSB SHOULD OPEN UP THE WALLENBERG FILES
In a recent interview with The Associated Press, the current chief of the?Federal Security Service’s registration and archives directorate, Lieutenant General Vasily Khristoforov, emphasized that he, too, considers Wallenberg a hero and that FSB officials are doing everything to uncover more documentation. He strongly denied withholding any information that would shed light on the truth.
To read more click here.
In focus: Armenia
TANER AKÇAM V. TURKEY
This week I have been in Strasbourg, France attending meetings at the Council of Europe on some specific issues related to democracy and human rights in Turkey. On Monday I attended a lecture on the situation of religious minorities in Turkey, held by Strasbourg University. I tried to explain to the audience the importance for Turkey of confronting the past, in order to become a better democracy.
To read more click here.
HUMAN RIGHTS COURT RULES TURKEY CANNOT CRIMINALIZE GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
STRASBOURG—The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday unanimously ruled that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide cannot be criminalized in Turkey. The verdict stemmed from a case brought to the court by noted scholar Taner Akcam.
To read more click here.
EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS RULES IN FAVOR OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE SCHOLAR TANER AKCAM
Washington, DC – Today, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Turkish government’s prosecution under Article 301 of its penal code with respect to Dr. Taner Akçam’s public views on the Armenian Genocide violated Akçam’s right to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
To read more click here.
PUBLISHER, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST RAGIP ZARAKOLU ARRESTED
ISTANBUL, Turkey—Turkish police have arrested Ragip Zarakolu, a well-known human rights activist and director of the Belge Publishing House, and chair of the Publishers Association “Freedom to Publish” Committee of Turkey.
Zarakolu was taken into custody on Oct. 28, during a large-scale manhunt in Istanbul against Kurdish and human rights activists.
To read more click here.
