/R E P E A T -- 100th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide on Parliament Hill/

OTTAWA, April 23, 2015 /CNW/ -

WHAT: Human rights activists from cities across Canada will gather on Parliament Hill in the nation's capital on Friday, April 24^th to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. The centennial has been receiving international attention after Pope Francis' recent comments that the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turks did constitute'genocide'. The European Parliament has also called upon Turkey to accept responsibility for its actions, and to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.

WHEN: Friday, April 24, 2015 at 12:15pm

WHERE: Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario

WHO: Organizers estimate that more than 5000 people will be in attendance. The event will begin with speeches and opening remarks by a number of special guests, including Defence Minister Jason Kenney. Representatives from all political parties will attend. The Armenian Ambassador to Canada, along with dignitaries from the 22 countries who have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide, will also participate in the commemoration ceremony.

The Armenian Genocide, which began on April 24, 1915, was the planned extermination of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turkey. More than two million Armenians were forcibly taken from their homes and villages, men drafted into and murdered in the Ottoman Turkish army, while women, children and the elderly driven into the Syrian deserts where they were starved, beaten, raped, drowned, or burnt alive.

SOURCE Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Kim Therriault, Publicist, [email protected], 905-802-6554