Armenian News...A Topalian BELGIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING ARMENIAN 'GENOCIDE'
BELGIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING ARMENIAN 'GENOCIDE'
Today's Zaman, Turkey
July 23 2015
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel recently said he thinks the 1915
killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire amount to a "genocide."
Belgian parliamentarians passed a resolution calling for the
recognition of the 1915 killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as
genocide in a vote on Thursday.
The resolution was approved by the Belgian Parliament's Foreign
Relations Committee and was forwarded to the General Assembly. The
resolution submitted by the Belgian government calls the 1915 incidents
as "genocide" but stresses that the incidents should not be associated
with Turks livng in Belgium.
The resolution also calls on historians to continue their efforts to
shed light on the 1915 incidents.
The 1915 mass killings of Ottoman Armenians during the final days
of the empire remain a contentious issue, with Ankara rejecting the
term genocide. Armenians claim that Ottoman forces systematically
killed more than 1 million Armenians in a way that was tantamount to
genocide. Turkey insists that the killings do not amount to genocide as
they took place during inter-communal strife when the empire was locked
in a battle for survival during World War I. The events are described
as a genocide by the Armenian diaspora and more than 20 countries.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has recently said he thinks
the 1915 killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire amount to a
"genocide," a statement which was criticized by the Turkish Foreign
Ministry.
Back in April, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused France,
Germany, Russia and Austria - whose leaders or parliaments also
described the killings as genocide - of supporting "claims constructed
on Armenian lies." He accused the United States of siding with Armenia
although President Barack Obama stopped short of using the term in
his annual message.
"They should first, one-by-one, clean the stains on their own
histories," Erdogan said during a speech in April.
The European Parliament in a vote in April also adopted a resolution
that referred to the killings of Armenians during the final years of
the Ottoman Empire as genocide and called on Turkey to recognize that
"genocide."
The non-binding resolution, which was approved by a show of hands of
a large majority of the MEPs, said, "Armenia and Turkey should use
the centenary of the Armenian Genocide to renew diplomatic relations,
open the border and pave the way for economic integration." The MEPs
stress the need for Turkey to recognize "the Armenian genocide," so as
to pave the way to "genuine reconciliation." They also commended the
statement by Pope Francis on April 12 honoring the centenary of the
"genocide.
Today's Zaman, Turkey
July 23 2015
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel recently said he thinks the 1915
killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire amount to a "genocide."
Belgian parliamentarians passed a resolution calling for the
recognition of the 1915 killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as
genocide in a vote on Thursday.
The resolution was approved by the Belgian Parliament's Foreign
Relations Committee and was forwarded to the General Assembly. The
resolution submitted by the Belgian government calls the 1915 incidents
as "genocide" but stresses that the incidents should not be associated
with Turks livng in Belgium.
The resolution also calls on historians to continue their efforts to
shed light on the 1915 incidents.
The 1915 mass killings of Ottoman Armenians during the final days
of the empire remain a contentious issue, with Ankara rejecting the
term genocide. Armenians claim that Ottoman forces systematically
killed more than 1 million Armenians in a way that was tantamount to
genocide. Turkey insists that the killings do not amount to genocide as
they took place during inter-communal strife when the empire was locked
in a battle for survival during World War I. The events are described
as a genocide by the Armenian diaspora and more than 20 countries.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has recently said he thinks
the 1915 killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire amount to a
"genocide," a statement which was criticized by the Turkish Foreign
Ministry.
Back in April, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused France,
Germany, Russia and Austria - whose leaders or parliaments also
described the killings as genocide - of supporting "claims constructed
on Armenian lies." He accused the United States of siding with Armenia
although President Barack Obama stopped short of using the term in
his annual message.
"They should first, one-by-one, clean the stains on their own
histories," Erdogan said during a speech in April.
The European Parliament in a vote in April also adopted a resolution
that referred to the killings of Armenians during the final years of
the Ottoman Empire as genocide and called on Turkey to recognize that
"genocide."
The non-binding resolution, which was approved by a show of hands of
a large majority of the MEPs, said, "Armenia and Turkey should use
the centenary of the Armenian Genocide to renew diplomatic relations,
open the border and pave the way for economic integration." The MEPs
stress the need for Turkey to recognize "the Armenian genocide," so as
to pave the way to "genuine reconciliation." They also commended the
statement by Pope Francis on April 12 honoring the centenary of the
"genocide.
armradio.am
ARMENIA WELCOMES BELGIUM'S UNCONDITIONAL
ARMENIA WELCOMES BELGIUM'S UNCONDITIONAL
RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
24 Jul 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Armenia has welcomed the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by
Belgium.
"Seventeen years ago the Belgian Senate recognized the Armenian
Genocide by a special resolution. On June 18 this year the Prime
Minister of Belgium reaffirmed the position of the Government on the
unconditional recognition of the Armenian Genocide," Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian said in a statement.
"The resolution recognising the Armenian Genocide adopted by the
Chamber of Deputies completes the process of recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by Belgium," the Foreign Minister said.
"We welcome the unconditional recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by legislative and executive authorities of the Kingdom of Belgium"
Minister Nalbandian concluded.
news.am
ARMENIANS OF BELGIUM CRITICIZE RESOLUTION ON
24 Jul 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Armenia has welcomed the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by
Belgium.
"Seventeen years ago the Belgian Senate recognized the Armenian
Genocide by a special resolution. On June 18 this year the Prime
Minister of Belgium reaffirmed the position of the Government on the
unconditional recognition of the Armenian Genocide," Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian said in a statement.
"The resolution recognising the Armenian Genocide adopted by the
Chamber of Deputies completes the process of recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by Belgium," the Foreign Minister said.
"We welcome the unconditional recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by legislative and executive authorities of the Kingdom of Belgium"
Minister Nalbandian concluded.
news.am
ARMENIANS OF BELGIUM CRITICIZE RESOLUTION ON
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
24.07.2015
The Armenian community of Belgium is discontent with the resolution
on the Armenian Genocide that was adopted by the Belgian Chamber of
Representatives on Thursday, Le Vif writes.
The Armenian community of Belgium, in particular, deplores the
ambiguity of the text, particularly paragraph 2, which voices a request
to the federal government "to recognize that today's Turkey can not
bear the historical and moral responsibility for the tragedy of the
Armenians in the Ottoman Empire."
"The Turkish authorities are based on denial - stubbornly denying
the evidence of the Genocide of Armenians and Arameans and continue
to praise the organizers," says the statement issued by the Armenian
and Aramean communities of Belgium.
The Armenian youth of Belgium also issued a statement expressing regret
over the resolution and calling it a text of compromise, RTL reported.
As reported earlier, an Armenian Genocide resolution was adopted
by a voting Thursday at the plenary session of the Chamber of
Representatives of Belgium.
The opposition criticized resolution stating the need for more
definite document, but voted for given the fact that the Belgian
Prime Minister Charles Michel recognized the Armenian Genocide on
behalf of his government.
TURKEY WARNS BELGIUM OVER CONSEQUENCES OF
24.07.2015
The Armenian community of Belgium is discontent with the resolution
on the Armenian Genocide that was adopted by the Belgian Chamber of
Representatives on Thursday, Le Vif writes.
The Armenian community of Belgium, in particular, deplores the
ambiguity of the text, particularly paragraph 2, which voices a request
to the federal government "to recognize that today's Turkey can not
bear the historical and moral responsibility for the tragedy of the
Armenians in the Ottoman Empire."
"The Turkish authorities are based on denial - stubbornly denying
the evidence of the Genocide of Armenians and Arameans and continue
to praise the organizers," says the statement issued by the Armenian
and Aramean communities of Belgium.
The Armenian youth of Belgium also issued a statement expressing regret
over the resolution and calling it a text of compromise, RTL reported.
As reported earlier, an Armenian Genocide resolution was adopted
by a voting Thursday at the plenary session of the Chamber of
Representatives of Belgium.
The opposition criticized resolution stating the need for more
definite document, but voted for given the fact that the Belgian
Prime Minister Charles Michel recognized the Armenian Genocide on
behalf of his government.
TURKEY WARNS BELGIUM OVER CONSEQUENCES OF
RESOLUTION ON ARMENIAN 'GENOCIDE'
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
July 24 2015
Turkey has warned that adoption of a resolution condemning the
centennial anniversary of Anatolian Armenians deaths during the World
War I as genocide by the Belgian Chamber of Deputies will have a deep
impact on bilateral relations between the two countries.
With the resolution adopted on July 23, Turkey has once more been
"unfairly indicted, historical facts have been distorted and law
has been ignored," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a written
statement released on July 24.
The statement continued onto to say the decision was part of a
campaign aimed at defaming Turkish identity and history, which had
started early in 2015, while recalling Belgian Prime Minister Charles
Michel's recognition of the deaths of Armenians by Ottoman Turkish
forces during World War I as genocide in remarks delivered in June.
"[...] The grave picture that has emerged with the July 23 decision
of the Chamber of Deputies [was] met with regret by the Belgian
Turkish community and has deeply impacted our bilateral relations,"
the ministry, questioning why Belgian deputies spared time on the
issue instead of dealing with serious challenges Europe faces,
including an economic crisis.
"It should be understood that this and similar decisions that have
been made do not serve the Turkish-Armenian conciliation in any way,"
the ministry concluded in its statement.
Back in June, upon Michel's remarks, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said
that the remarks were "neither acceptable nor excusable," adding that
the Belgian leader had "politicized" the issue.
Michel's remarks came after the European Parliament in April adopted
a resolution to recognize the Armenian genocide, which enraged Turkey.
Turkey says it shares the pain of Armenians over the events but has
vehemently rejected the use of the term genocide, contending that
hundreds of thousands of Muslims and Christians were killed on both
sides in a wartime tragedy.
In April, Pope Francis drew Turkey's wrath after describing the
killings as "the first genocide of the 20th century."
Ankara subsequently pulled its ambassador from the Vatican,
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
July 24 2015
Turkey has warned that adoption of a resolution condemning the
centennial anniversary of Anatolian Armenians deaths during the World
War I as genocide by the Belgian Chamber of Deputies will have a deep
impact on bilateral relations between the two countries.
With the resolution adopted on July 23, Turkey has once more been
"unfairly indicted, historical facts have been distorted and law
has been ignored," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a written
statement released on July 24.
The statement continued onto to say the decision was part of a
campaign aimed at defaming Turkish identity and history, which had
started early in 2015, while recalling Belgian Prime Minister Charles
Michel's recognition of the deaths of Armenians by Ottoman Turkish
forces during World War I as genocide in remarks delivered in June.
"[...] The grave picture that has emerged with the July 23 decision
of the Chamber of Deputies [was] met with regret by the Belgian
Turkish community and has deeply impacted our bilateral relations,"
the ministry, questioning why Belgian deputies spared time on the
issue instead of dealing with serious challenges Europe faces,
including an economic crisis.
"It should be understood that this and similar decisions that have
been made do not serve the Turkish-Armenian conciliation in any way,"
the ministry concluded in its statement.
Back in June, upon Michel's remarks, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said
that the remarks were "neither acceptable nor excusable," adding that
the Belgian leader had "politicized" the issue.
Michel's remarks came after the European Parliament in April adopted
a resolution to recognize the Armenian genocide, which enraged Turkey.
Turkey says it shares the pain of Armenians over the events but has
vehemently rejected the use of the term genocide, contending that
hundreds of thousands of Muslims and Christians were killed on both
sides in a wartime tragedy.
In April, Pope Francis drew Turkey's wrath after describing the
killings as "the first genocide of the 20th century."
Ankara subsequently pulled its ambassador from the Vatican,
as well as from Austria, Brazil and Luxembourg.
prensaarmenia.com.ar
Brazil State of RÃ - o de Janeiro recognizes Armenian Genocide
11:21, 25.07.2015
The State of RÃ - o de Janeiro in Brazil on Friday officially recognized
the Armenian Genocide, and set April 24 as `Day of Recognition and
Remembrance of the Victims of the Armenian Genocide.'
The Governor of RÃ - o de Janeiro, Luiz Fernando Pezão, had
Brazil State of RÃ - o de Janeiro recognizes Armenian Genocide
11:21, 25.07.2015
The State of RÃ - o de Janeiro in Brazil on Friday officially recognized
the Armenian Genocide, and set April 24 as `Day of Recognition and
Remembrance of the Victims of the Armenian Genocide.'
The Governor of RÃ - o de Janeiro, Luiz Fernando Pezão, had
submitted the respective bill to the state parliament, reported Agencia
Prensa Armenia.
RÃ - o de Janeiro has become the fourth Brazilian state'after the States
of Paraná, Ceará, and São Paulo'to acknowledge the fact of the
Armenian Genocide. And several months ago, the Senate of Brazil had
adopted a resolution recognizing this tragedy.
RÃ - o de Janeiro has become the fourth Brazilian state'after the States
of Paraná, Ceará, and São Paulo'to acknowledge the fact of the
Armenian Genocide. And several months ago, the Senate of Brazil had
adopted a resolution recognizing this tragedy.
AINA- Assyrian International News Agency
July 25 2015
Assyrian Federation in Armenia Highlights Continuing Genocide
2015 is a remarkable year for it marked the 100 years since the
atrocious crime against humanity. The European Parliament declared
April 24 as the Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide in the
Ottoman Empire, an open letter from the press-service of the
Federation of Assyrian organizations of Armenia "Khayadta", published
on the website of Xenophobia Prevention Initiative, reads.
According to the letter, special attention is paid to the occasion in
2015, and various events, like exhibitions, seminars, film screenings,
performances and symposiums, will be held both in Armenia and all over
the world throughout the whole year.
However, the main events took place in Yerevan in April 2015. On April
22-23, the State Commission Coordinating the Armenian Genocide
Centennial Events, the National Assembly and the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Armenia held a Global Forum "Against the
Crime of Genocide" in the frameworks of the events dedicated to the
Armenian Genocide Centennial. More than 600 parliamentarians,
politicians, diplomats, scientists and prominent genocide scholars
from 60 countries attended the Forum. The conference was dedicated not
only to the Armenian Genocide but also to the fight against all the
genocides in the world. For the first time on official invitation, the
representative of the Assyrians and a member of Iraq Parliament,
Yonadam Kanna, attended such a grandiose international forum with an
Assyrian delegation, consisting of 12 members from different
countries.
"The participation in the forum was crucial for us, given the need to
preserve the Assyrian nation, as having suffered genocide at the
beginning of the 20th century (1914-1923) our nation is still being
eliminated in its historical homeland today. It is very important for
us that the high representative members of the international forum
'Against the Crime of Genocide' at last heard our voice about the
atrocious fact of elimination of the Assyrian people in the territory
of Ottoman Turkey," the letter reads.
The letter points that on 24 March 2015, the National Assembly of
Armenia adopted a resolution condemning the genocide of the Assyrians
and Greeks in the territory of Ottoman Turkey in 1915-1923.
"The Armenian Parliament's recognition of the genocide of the
Assyrians and the Assyrian delegation's active participation in the
international forum 'Against the Crime of Genocide', held in the
Armenian capital on the Armenian Genocide Centennial is very important
and timely for now the Assyrians are struggling for their existence on
their native land. It is not a secret that the ISIS militants are
eliminating the heritage of the ancient nation," the article reads.
Yonadam Kanna, the representative of the Assyrians and member of Iraq
Parliament, spoke about the plight of the Assyrian people and the
systematic persecutions of that ancient nation. Irina Gasparyan, the
President of Federation of Assyrian organizations of Armenia
"Khayadta", raised the issue of including a reference to the genocide
against the Assyrians and Greeks into the final document. The
participants of the Forum "Against the Crime of Genocide" approved the
final version of Yerevan declaration, which was stated by the co-chair
of the Forum, Baroness Caroline Cox at the end of the Forum.
"We approve the proposed declaration," she said.
At the end of the Forum, the parliamentarians from all countries
condemned the Armenian Genocide and highlighted the importance of
preventing such kind of crimes against humanity in the future.
Especially remarkable was the call of the former Chief Prosecutor of
the International Criminal Court that Armenia must take up the role of
the leader of the struggle against genocides, which was spoken about
by many.
"The events held on April 24 on the Armenian Genocide centennial
served the main purposes set: raising the international awareness of
the Armenian Genocide, formation of public opinion and mobilization to
condemn and fight against genocides as crimes against humanity," the
letter highlights.
The Armenian Genocide centennial commemoration is not over with April
24 events, Vigen Sargsyan, Presidential Chief of Staff of the Republic
of Armenia and the coordinator of events, told a press conference,
summing up the work done and speaking about the further action. He
said the events held in many countries after April 24 came to prove
that. "Political, sports, cultural events will be organized throughout
the whole year," he said and added that the website
armeniangenocide100.org would go on operating with the same intensity,
reporting about the many different events in all the corners of the
world.
According the letter, the Assyrian delegation visited Assyrian
villages, where events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide Centennial
were also held. Events, exhibitions, literary and musical compositions
«I Remember and Demand" dedicated to the tragic events that took
place at the beginning of the 20th century in the territory of Ottoman
Turkey were organized in the villages Upper Dvin, Arzni. The Dimitrov
village high school's headmaster Mkrtchyan G.M's final speech became
the concluding chord of the events: "We will never forget the
villainies the Turkish authorities committed. The Armenian and
Assyrian people suffered. But we must live, we know how to live, and
it is our obligation to live to prove that we are an immortal nation."
The fact of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire
At the end of the Forum, the parliamentarians from all countries
condemned the Armenian Genocide and highlighted the importance of
preventing such kind of crimes against humanity in the future.
Especially remarkable was the call of the former Chief Prosecutor of
the International Criminal Court that Armenia must take up the role of
the leader of the struggle against genocides, which was spoken about
by many.
"The events held on April 24 on the Armenian Genocide centennial
served the main purposes set: raising the international awareness of
the Armenian Genocide, formation of public opinion and mobilization to
condemn and fight against genocides as crimes against humanity," the
letter highlights.
The Armenian Genocide centennial commemoration is not over with April
24 events, Vigen Sargsyan, Presidential Chief of Staff of the Republic
of Armenia and the coordinator of events, told a press conference,
summing up the work done and speaking about the further action. He
said the events held in many countries after April 24 came to prove
that. "Political, sports, cultural events will be organized throughout
the whole year," he said and added that the website
armeniangenocide100.org would go on operating with the same intensity,
reporting about the many different events in all the corners of the
world.
According the letter, the Assyrian delegation visited Assyrian
villages, where events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide Centennial
were also held. Events, exhibitions, literary and musical compositions
«I Remember and Demand" dedicated to the tragic events that took
place at the beginning of the 20th century in the territory of Ottoman
Turkey were organized in the villages Upper Dvin, Arzni. The Dimitrov
village high school's headmaster Mkrtchyan G.M's final speech became
the concluding chord of the events: "We will never forget the
villainies the Turkish authorities committed. The Armenian and
Assyrian people suffered. But we must live, we know how to live, and
it is our obligation to live to prove that we are an immortal nation."
The fact of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire
in 1915 has been recognized by a number of states. The first
country to do this was Uruguay in 1965, followed by the
Republic of Cyprus (1975), Argentina (2004), Russia (1995),
Canada (1996), Greece (1999), Lebanon (1997), Belgium (1998),
Italy (2000), Vatican (2000), France (1998), Switzerland (2003),
Slovakia (2004), The Netherlands (2004), Poland (2005),
Venezuela (2005), Lithuania (2005), Chile (2007), Sweden
(2010), Bolivia (2014), Austria (2015), Luxembourg (2015),
(2010), Bolivia (2014), Austria (2015), Luxembourg (2015),
and Brazil (2015).
The European Parliament and the World Council of Churches
have also recognized the Armenian Genocide. Forty-three of
the 50 U.S.states have recognized and condemned the
Armenian Genocide declaring April 24 as the Armenian
Genocide Remembrance Day.
Parliaments of several European countries have adopted laws
criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide. Turkey,
however, denies the mass killings of the Armenian population
in the Ottoman Empire during World War I (onthe eve of World
War I around 2 million Armenians lived in the Ottoman Empire,
about 1.5 million Armenians were eliminated during 1915-1923,
the remaining half million spread all over the world).
the remaining half million spread all over the world).
[highlighted paragraphs are a useful 'aide-memoire']
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