The South Australia State Parliament approved a resolution recognizing the genocide of the Pontians committed by the Turks in the period 1915-1922.

The resolution was tabled in parliament by philhellene Justice Minister Michael Atkinson.

The South Australia Parliament recognized that the genocide committed between 1915 and 1922 by the Ottoman State against the Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians and other minorities in Asia Minor is among the biggest crimes ever against humanity and is being condemned by the people and the state of South Australia.

The resolution maintains that the genocide cannot be erased because of the time that has passed since then and calls on the Australian federal government to formally recognize the genocide.

Photo: philhellene Justice Minister of South Australia Michael Atkinson (dressed in a Pontian costume) in an event of Greek expatriates in Adelaide.

Source: ANA-MPA

SAE (ΣΑΕ) Greeks abroad infor

Relations between Australia and Turkey are likely to be disturbed after the decision of the South Australia State Parliament to recognize the genocide of the Pontians, Armenians and Assyrians.

The Turkish ambassador to Australia who made the comment also expressed regret and disappointment for the decision by South Australian Attorney General, Minister of Justice and Multicultural Affairs, Michael Atkinson to visit Greece next week and address an event organized by the Pontians in Thessaloniki.

Last month following a motion tabled by Atkinson, the South Australia State Parliament formally recognized the Pontian genocide, a move that led Turkey to make a formal demarche to the Australian government.

Source: ANA-MPA