"The events of 1915-16 - a crime against humanity"

An important step forward to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the UK took place today. In a reply to Wales-Armenia Solidarity, Sir Menzies Campbell, Leader of the UK Liberal Democrats wrote: "We believe that the events of 1915-16 did indeed constitute crimes against humanity" thus following the moral leadership shown by the politicians of Wales,(including the Welsh Liberal Democrats) since 2001. This will have great implications for British unconditional support for Turkey's E.U. ambitions if, as expected, the Liberal Democrats hold the balance of power following the next general election in the UK. The Policy Officer of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Dewi Knight, had previously written in a reply to Wales-Armenia Solidarity: "The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that the UK government should acknowledge the Armenian experience of the early twentieth century as a genocide. The Labour government refusal to recognise it as such is, and has been, highly disappointing." Speaking at the Armenian Memorial Day service in 2001 in Cathays Park, Jenny Randerson, Welsh Lib Dem AM for Cardiff Central said: "The Armenian Genocide, which began in 1915, bore all the hallmarks of genocide and was the first such event in the 20th century. We must work together to ensure that this is fully recognised, because recognition - and commemoration - are the vital steps which ensure that it never - ever - happens again. Turkey's movements towards human rights reform is to be welcomed but there is much to do before Turkey can become a full member of the EU. It will take a long time for negotiations to allow Turkey's entry to the EU, time that Turkey should and must use to guarantee that faith minorities, ethnic minorities and other minorities have full rights at all times throughout the country. Turkey must meet the same standards as other EU states".