Assyrian genocide monument vandalised with racist statements in Bonnyrigg Park

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JENNINE ABDUL KHALIK
The Assyrian genocide monument (pictured at its official opening) in Bonnyrigg Park has been defaced with graffiti.
The Assyrian genocide monument at Bonnyrigg Park was found defaced and vandalised with graffiti yesterday.
The vandals left Nazi swastikas on the monument and plaque and statements like “F*** Armenians, Assyrians and Jews” and “Russian pride”.

The monument, which was unveiled in 2010, honours the memories of Assyrians massacred at
The monument, which was unveiled in 2010, honours the memories of Assyrians massacred at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.
The monument honours the almost 750,000 Assyrians massacred by the Ottoman Empire during World War 1 and has been vandalised four times since its erection in 2010.

Assyrian Universal Alliance deputy secretary-general Hermiz Shahen, said these acts of vandalism stemmed from genocide denial.

“(There is) denial of the fact that the Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks — about 3 million of their people — were killed during the war, committed by Ottoman Turkey,’’ he said.

The Assyrian Universal Alliance released a statement saying it strongly condemns the act and “demands that the perpetrators be brought to justice.”

In August 2010, the Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Selcuk Unal stated that Turkey condemned the unveiling of an Assyrian genocide monument in Fairfield, claiming it “distorted history and accused Turkey”.

Mr Shahen speculated that members of the Turkish community were behind the act. “They believe we are probably just telling a story and there’s no fact about it.”

“But the historic reality cannot be denied. We have lost our homeland.”

“We want to clear it up with Turkish community. We have nothing against them,” he said.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/south-west/assyrian-genocide-monument-vandalised-with-racist-statements-in-bonnyrigg-park/story-fngr8hxh-1227307731911