Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria (ÖRKÖ) addressed a letter to the country’s leadership urging them to recognize the Armenian Genocide and serve as an example for other countries.

The letter is sent on behalf of the representatives of Evangelical Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran and Catholic churches and is addressed to the country’s President Heinz Fischer, Austrian National Council President Doris Bures, Chancellor Werner Faymann and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz, the organization’s official website reports.

According to the letter, the recognition must be announced by April 24, which marks the beginning of the Genocide of Armenians and other Christian nations in the Ottoman Empire.  

The Genocide’s official recognition, which has already been commenced by many states and organizations, can mean the beginning of reimbursement and reconciliation. Moreover, modern Turkey’s civil society is apparently ready to recognize the sad events of 1915 and repent, the representatives of Austrian churches said.