Belgian Armenians and Arameans Concerned Over Wording in Genocide Recognition Resolution

The Foreign Affairs Committee of Belgium’s House of Representatives adopted a draft resolution on the Armenian Genocide on July 7 (Source: Artsakh Press)

BRUSSELS (Nouvelles d’Arménie)—The Armenian and Aramean communities of Belgium expressed their deep concern over the wording in a draft resolution on the acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide by Belgium. The Committee of Belgian Armenians, Committee of Hay Tad, and the Aramean Federation of Belgium have criticize the ambiguity of the text.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of Belgium’s House of Representatives adopted the document on July 7, but Armenian and Aramean community representatives have expressed concern over points 2 and 9 of the resolution.

Point 2 asks the federal government of Belgium “to acknowledge that modern Turkey cannot hold moral and historical liability for the tragedy, survived by the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.” Point 9 supports the backing of initiatives by non-governmental organizations in Turkey and Armenia, whose work is aimed at normalizing the relations between the two countries.

The Armenian and Aramaic communities have called Point 2 “unsuccessful”, noting that more and more intellectuals and members of Turkey’s civil society today are advocating for truth and struggling for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by their country despite threats.

“In contrast, the Turkish authorities rely on denial, continuing to deny the proofs of the Armenian and Aramean Genocide, glorifying the organizers. Thereby they make themselves successors of the actions of the Ottoman Empire. At least the official Turkey holds moral liability,” the statement reads.

In regards to Point 9, the authors of the statement said that “it is necessary to contribute to bringing together the Belgium Turkish associations, which recognize the Armenian Genocide, with the Armenian and Aramean associations, to try to aligning the dialogue. These kinds of initiatives will hearten the Belgians of Turkish descent, who don’t dare to publicly acknowledge the Armenian and Aramean Genocide.”

The Foreign Affairs Committee of Belgium’s House of Representatives adopted a resolution on the Armenian Genocide on July 7. The draft resolution introduced by the parliamentary majority was adopted. Amendments proposed by opposition members were declined by a majority of parliament members.