Community groups urge Victorian Premier to support resolution recognizing 1915 Sayfo Genocide

MELBOURNE — Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean), Armenian, Greek, and Kurdish political parties and organizations have jointly signed a letter to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan supporting a draft resolution to officially recognize the 1915 Sayfo Genocide. The signatories urged Parliament and the government to adopt a principled stance by recognizing this genocide, not only to confirm historical events but also as a step toward reconciliation and offering psychological relief to descendants of survivors.

“In a broader context, such recognition is crucial for preventing future genocides, a perspective supported by many genocide scholars,” the letter stated. Australian MP Chris Crowther echoed this sentiment on social media, emphasizing that certain moments in politics require moral courage, regardless of personal or political interests, and called on Parliament to support the recognition of the 1915 Genocide against the Armenians, Greeks, and Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldeans).

The Common Justice Initiative, which introduced this draft resolution, was established in the Australian Parliament in 2020, highlighting genocide recognition as a priority for community representation in Australia.