Auckland (AINA) -- Assyrian genocide scholar Sabri Atman, director of the Seyfo Genocide Research Center, presented a lecture on August 26 at the Assyrian Nineveh Association. In his lecture Mr. Atman outlined the Turkish genocide of Assyrians in World War One, in which 750,000 Assyrians (75%) were killed by Turks and Kurds between 1915 and 1918. He also discussed other genocides and pogroms of Assyrians.

The lecture also included a documentary film on the Genocide which included interviews with individuals that lived during 1915 and onwards and their experience and the horror they went through during events carried out against them by the Ottoman Turks, Kurds and Persians in WWI.

The Assyrian Youth Group, along with the Assyrian Nineveh Association and the Assyrian community in Auckland, joined Sabri Atman at One Tree Hill on Saturday, September 4. At this prominent location in Auckland, Assyrian and New Zealand flags were raised. Signs reading "Never Again 1915," "We Will Never Forget Simele 1933" and "Hands Off Mor Gabriel" were held by the participants.

There are about three thousand Assyrians living in New Zealand, based in Auckland.

Mr. Atman began his genocide awareness tour in early July in the United States of America, then he came to Australia for the unveiling of the Assyrian Genocide Monument in Fairfield (AINA 8-7-2010, 8-30-2010). From Australia he came to New Zealand will continue his tour in Greece, Israel, Syria, Sweden, Switzerland, and Armenia for the remaining of the year. Mr Atman's aim is to travel to many countries to educate Assyrians and raise awareness for the recognition of the Assyrian Genocide.

The next stop in Mr. Atman's tour is Athens, where he will demand the recognition of the Assyrian Genocide from the Greek government.

Rena Shlemun contributed to this report.