Doc. 8855
5 October 2000

Armenian culture – in Armenia and in the diaspora

Motion for an order

presented by Mr Kofod-Svendsen and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only

the members who have signed it

1.       In 1991 Armenia became an independent, sovereign state. Upon recommendation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, it is foreseen that Armenia will become a full member of the Council of Europe by the end of 2000.

2.       The Armenian people has had a rather tough history, especially the murder of the Armenian people, and its consequences have greatly influenced the self-perception of the Armenian people.

3.       In many ways we can compare the Armenian people with the Jewish people:

i.       both populations have been persecuted through countries because of their faith and their ethnicity;

ii.       both populations have a homeland and an international diaspora – Armenia is the same size as Israel;

iii.       both populations have a strong cohesiveness and are not so easily absorbed as other emigrants;

iv.       both populations have the same fear of obliteration.

4.       The church in Armenia is the oldest-established church in the world – dating from the year 301 AD. The church has been very important for the Armenian people.

5.       Today the Armenian people and the Armenian culture have big problems, especially in the diaspora:

i.       the problem of assimilation in Turkey – the rights for a minority group;

ii.       the problem of assimilation in those countries with a tradition of assimilation, for example, the United States of America;

iii.       the problem of isolation when it is voluntary, for example, in Jerusalem;

iv.       the problem if isolation when it is enforced, for example, in Djulfa in Iran.

6.       The Assembly considers it necessary that the debate about the Armenian people and its culture continue. The Assembly proposes that the Armenian people and its culture be discussed in the Committee of Culture and Education and a report on the subject be debated by the Assembly.

Signed : 1

Kofod-Svendsen, Denmark, EPP/CD

Albrink, Denmark, EDG

de Puig, Spain, SOC

Esch, Sweden, EPP/CD

Hadjidemetriou, Cyprus, SOC

Kjaer, Denmark, EDG

Moeller, Denmark, EDG

Moserova, Czech Republic, EPP/CD

Roseta, Portugal, EPP/CD

Soendergaard, Denmark, UEL

Zierer, Germany, EPP/CD

1        SOC: Socialist Group