OTTAWA—The Armenian National Committee of Canada issued a statement on Monday regarding the organization’s position on the ongoing discussions with the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.
Below is the complete text of the statement:
The creation and development of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights (the CMHR) is an endeavor the likes of which has never been attempted in Canada’s history. Complexity is inherent in such a noble and virtuous undertaking. As such, it is to be expected that the situation is dynamic and evolving as the process progresses. The Armenian National Committee of Canada (the ANCC) has been actively participating in and vigilantly monitoring developments with regards to the CMHR as the process unfolds, consulting with various stakeholders and experts when appropriate.
The ANCC has been involved with the CMHR and its process from the very beginning. From the outset, the ANCC’s balanced approach has been one that is forward-looking, collaborative, and firmly realistic. Our desired outcome mirrors that of the community we represent — the just, respectful and appropriate representation of genocide and the Armenian Genocide. We have, in recent weeks, updated the leadership of various Armenian-Canadian institutions and organizations about the progression of our work and the challenges that lie ahead.
The ANCC remains in consistent dialogue with the CMHR, including collaborative discussions and working sessions. Our relationship with the senior decision-makers of the CMHR can be characterized as being positive, open, and constructive. In addition, we have discussed the CMHR with politicians and government officials with responsibility for this matter.
The process continues, however, and is not yet over. Thus, the ANCC maintains its vigilance with regards to the breadth and depth of the Armenian Genocide exhibition, the permanency of the exhibition, and the importance of consultations with the Armenian community in long-term exhibition-related decisions.
Armenian National Committee of Canada
