LA PAZ, Bolivia—The two houses of the Bolivian Parliament unanimously approved measures to recognize the Armenian Genocide on November 26, reported the Buenos Aires, Argentina-based Agencia Prensa Armenia.

 

The resolutions passed by both houses of the parliament, known as Plurinational Legislative Assembly of Bolivia express the Bolivian people’s solidarity with the Armenian people and condemn “all denialist policy regarding the Genocide and crimes against humanity suffered by the Armenian nation.”

Speaking to Prensa Armenia, Senator Zonia Guardia Melgar, acting chairperson of the Senate of Bolivia, explained that “the decision was taken unanimously by both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, with the approval of the Foreign Ministry.”

“We offer our full support, solidarity and comradeship to the Armenian people and the Kurdish people, because our State Constitution, which is the law of laws, says no to discrimination, violation of human rights and genocide” she added.

The unofficial translation of the full text of the resolution reads:

“The Plurinational Legislative Assembly of Bolivia share and is in solidarity with the Armenian people for the fight of their claims, the preservation of human rights, and the establishment of truth and justice.

Declares: its firm commitment to human rights, truth, justice, solidarity and condemnation against all denialist policy regarding the genocide and crimes against humanity suffered by the Armenian nation.”

On Sunday, a special ceremony was held at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Buenos Aires, where members of the Bolivia parliament were invited to present the resolution to the Armenian community. Armenia’s Ambassador to Argentina Vahagn Melikyan and Prelate of Argentina Archbishop Archbishop Gisak Muradian were present.

The Deputy Speaker of the Bolivian Senate and the Acting President of the Senate Zonia Guardia Melgar and a member of parliament Farides Walla Suarez de Suarez represented the Bolivian legislature at the event in Argentina.

Guardia Melgar said that the unanimous passage of the resolution was fully approved by the Bolivia Foreign Ministry, adding that only through the recognition and condemnation of the Genocide it will be possible to prevent the repetition of such crimes in the lives of nations and states in the future.

Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian issued a statement on the passage of the resolutions.

“We express our gratitude to both Chambers of the Parliament, the government and people of Bolivia for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide committed in the Ottoman Turkey. Ahead of the 100th Centenary of the Armenian Genocide, Bolivia by this step has brought its important input in the noble cause of restoration of historical justice, recognition, condemnation, prevention of crimes against humanity and in the fight against denial,” said Nalbandin in his statement.