Armenian Genocide denial reported to the Dutch Police

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Armenian Genocide denial reported to the Dutch Police –

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The Joint Armenian Organizations, namely the Federation of Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands (FAON) and Dutch Armenian Committee for Justice and Democracy (Hay Tad), have reported the organizers, speakers and participants of a Turkish rally on 1 June 2014 in Almelo to the police, the Federation of Armenian Organisations in The Netherlands reports.

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The rally was intended to be a demonstration against the Genocide memorial recently erected on the private grounds of the Armenian Church in Almelo, however, it turned into anti-Armenian chanting and denial of the Armenian Genocide. Roughly 3000 protestors gathered in Almelo from cities all over the Netherlands.

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According to the Joint Armenian Organizations, the participants of the rally are guilty of group defamation, discrimination, and incitement to hatred of the Armenian people, meaning that Article 137 of the Criminal Code of the Netherlands was violated.Written questions about the demonstration were submitted by Members of the Dutch Parliament Mr. Pieter Omtzigt (CDA – Christian Democratic Appeal), Mr. Harry Van Bommel (SP – Socialist Party), Mr. Joel Voordewind (CU – Christian Union), Mr. Kees van der Staaij (SGP – Reformed Political Party) and Mr. Raymond de Roon (PVV – Party for Freedom) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Social Affairs and Employment and Minister of Security and Justice.

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The questions included concerns about the organization of the rally, which, according to pamphlets distributed on the day, was in part organized by Diyanet, “The Presidency of Religious Affairs” of Turkey, which also offered free transportation by bus to the demonstration.

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Dutch parliament unanimously recognized the Armenian Genocide in 2004 (Motion by Mr. Rouvoet).

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