On June 11, Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia conveyed a special message to Dr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, who is the chairman of the international commission created to examine the violations of human rights in Syria. In his message, the Supreme Patriarch demanded that the international commission examine the issue of Kessab, taking into consideration Turkey’s negative role. The Supreme Patriarch particularly said: “As the Armenians prepare to mark the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks, Turkey committed another crime against the Armenians. The Armenians of Kessab were deported from the historic Cilicia and experienced another tragedy.” The Supreme Patriarch also suggested sending his representative to provide right information about the issue of Kessab.

The mentioned commission is set up by the UN Human Rights Committee and will submit a report to the Security Council in late June.

We inform that during a recent visit to the Vatican, the Supreme Patriarch reflected on the crisis of the Syrian-Armenians and the difficulties facing the Christian communities during his meetings with the Pope, the State Secretary and media representatives.

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