LA PAZ, Bolivia—The two houses of the Bolivian Parliament unanimously approved measures to recognize the Armenian Genocide on Nov. 26, reported Agencia Presna Armenia.
Bolivia’s Palace of Congress in La Paz
The resolutions, passed by both houses of Parliament (the Plurinational Legislative Assembly of Bolivia), express solidarity with the Armenian cause and condemn “all denialist policy regarding the Genocide and crimes against humanity suffered by the Armenian nation.”
Senator Zonia Guardia Melgar, deputy speaker and acting chairperson of the Bolivian Senate, told Presna Armenia that “the decision was taken unanimously by both the Senate and the Chamber 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,” said Guardia Melgar.
On Nov. 29, a special ceremony was held at the St, Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where members of the Bolivian Parliament were invited to present the resolution to members of the Armenian community. Armenia’s Ambassador to Argentina Vahagn Melikyan and Prelate of Argentina Archbishop Gisak Muradian were present.
Senator Guardia Melgar and Farides Walla Suarez, a member of the Bolivian Parliament, were also present.
Guardia Melgar said that only through the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genoicde will it be possible to prevent the repetition of such crimes in the future.
Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edwar Nalbandian issued a statement in response to the passage of the resolution. “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 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 the fight against denial,” read the statement.
The following is the unofficial translation of the resolution:
“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.