Sydney (AINA) -- The Assyrian genocide monument in Bonnyrigg was vandalized yesterday for the third time (AINA 2012-04-06) since it was erected on August 20, 2010 (AINA 2010-08-07). The monument is in memory of the 750,000 Assyrians who were killed by Ottoman Turks and Kurds in World War One, between 1915 and 1918. That genocide was targeted at the Christian population of the Ottoman Empire, and saw 1.5 million and 500,000 Greeks also killed in a systematic genocide against Christians.

The vandals painted Nazi swastikas on the monument and plaque, and spray painted the words "Fuck Armenians, Assyrians and Jews."

The vandalism occurred just 9 days ahead of the centennial anniversary of the Turkish genocide of Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks. The genocide began on April 24, 1915.

The Assyrian Universal Alliance, which sponsored the monument, said in a statement:

The Assyrian Universal Alliance strongly condemns this act and demands that the perpetrators be brought to justice. We urge everyone to remain calm and refrain from passing judgment on any specific group of people, holding them responsible for this reprehensible conduct. We call upon the authorities to be diligent in identifying the responsible parties.

The Armenian National Committee of Australia issued the following statement:

There is no place for racial hatred and bigotry. The Jewish, Armenian and Assyrian communities have suffered the worst form of racial hatred in the last 100 years -- genocide. Such memorials are designed to pay homage to the extensive loss of life that has scarred the pages of humanity.

The monument was vandalized hours after the European Parliament adopted a resolution recognizing the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocide, urging all European states to follow suit.

There are 9 Assyrian genocide monuments throughout the world.