Victorian Greens join SEKA in objecting to Parliamentary Friends of Azerbaijan group

·

The Victorian Greens party has joined its voice alongside SEKA Victoria in outlining its concerns about the establishment of a new Parliamentary Friends of Azerbaijan group initiated by Natalie Suleyman MP and David Southwick MP. 

The Victorian Greens said in a statement on Wednesday, June 19 that they were concerned about the formation of the new parliamentary friendship group because it risks “legitimising the action of the state of Azerbaijan that has been accused of a blockade and the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian people.”

“1.5 million Armenians and 1 million Greek and Assyrian people were killed in a genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire beginning in 1915. The genocide was a grave crime against humanity and the Victorian Greens pay tribute to the memory of the victims,” the statement reads.

“In recent times, the Armenian community has continued to suffer gravely because of the actions of the state of Azerbaijan against the Armenian community in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabkah). The recent blockade, attack and forced displacement of Armenians from the region resulted in the inaugural prosecutor of the International Criminal Court stating that there is a reasonable basis to believe that a genocide is being committed.”

In light of the growing international concern about the actions of the state of Azerbaijan, the Victorian Greens urged others members of parliament not to attend an inaugural Parliamentary Friends of Azerbaijan meeting on Wednesday night. The party said “it could send a message of endorsement of the actions of the state of Azerbaijan.”

Armenia and Azerbaijan have already fought two wars over Karabakh in the three decades
Armenia and Azerbaijan have already fought two wars over Karabakh in the three decades.

This statement by the Victorian Greens comes after SEKA Victoria’s President Pavlos Andronikos sent a letter to Victorian MPs on Tuesday, expressing the Greek and Cypriot Australian community’s concerns around the formation of the group.

In his letter, Mr Andronikos said Azerbaijan’s unprovoked attack eight months ago, which forced all Armenians in Artsakh to flee, compounded by crimes like occupying 215 square kilometers of territory within the sovereign borders of Armenia, desecrating religious and cultural heritage, and mistreating prisoners of war, makes “any attempt to establish such a forum reprehensible.”

“Attendance and participation in such a forum would send an inappropriate message, legitimising the crimes of Azerbaijan,” Mr Andronikos stressed.

“Each of you, as elected members, must take a principled stand and send a message to Azerbaijan that you will not allow the crimes of Azerbaijanis against indigenous Armenians and your own citizens to go unanswered.

“We, as Victorians and citizens of a free and democratic state, must stand with the people of Armenia as they endure one of the darkest chapters in their modern history. We can do better. We must do better.”

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Summer soundtrack: The ultimate guide to Greek concerts and festivals in 2025

Wherever you are in the country, The Greek Herald has the inside scoop on must-see performances to catch during your summer escape.

Michael Zannis: The Greek Aussie cricket star redefining blindness

Michael Zannis has turned his ‘disability’ into his superpower. He lives as everyone else does and is thriving.

Greek olive oil today: Production, use and export data

Greek olive oil is consumed in large quantities in Greece today. Still, the small population leaves plenty of oil for export.

Greece ranks fifth highest in Europe for short-term rental prices

Greece has become the fifth most expensive destination in Europe for short-term rentals, with the average nightly rate reaching 250 euros.

Greece cracks down on beach violations amid thousands of complaints

Greek authorities are intensifying efforts to combat illegal beach occupation and protect public access to the coastline.

You May Also Like

20 million dollars worth of stolen cultural treasures returned to Greece

Several trafficked antiquities seized from billionaire hedge fund founder, Michael Steinhardt, have been returned to Greece after a yearlong investigation into the acquisition of his art collection.

Bill Papastergiadis meets with Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni

The President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, met with Greek Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, as she prepared to travel to Australia...

Miltos Michaelas – Bank of Sydney CEO: We wanted a bank that the community would be proud of across Australia

Mr Miltos Michaelas, CEO of Bank of Sydney spoke to The Greek Herald about adapting his family life to Australia, recreating the Bank of Sydney, and his approach to his personal and professional life.