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These pages show programs, activities, news a.o. of the
April 24 Committee for the recognition
and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 |
Commemoration of Armenian Genocide 2008 in Holland
By Inge Drost
ASSEN – 24 April 2008 - Several hundred Armenians
gathered together in the city of Assen for the annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide that took place 93
years ago in the Ottoman Empire. The commemoration was organised by the 24 April Committee of the Federation of
the Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON).
Prior to this commemoration, earlier this week a petition was submitted to the Parliament by a FAON delegation.
In addition to the petition, a copy of recently published Dutch translation of the book “The First Holocaust” by
British journalist and writer, the Middle East correspondent of The Independent Robert Fisk was also handed over
to the Parliamentary Commission of European Affairs. This book is about the Armenian Genocide. The copy was signed
especially for this occasion by the author.
The commemoration began by a quiet march towards the Armenian Genocide Memorial, where during a ceremony wreaths
were laid at the Genocide monument on behalf of, among others, the newly established Armenian Consulate in The
Hague, the FAON and the Gladzor Armenian Student Association.
During the Commemorative meeting in the auditorium, Nicolai Romashuk Jr. played duduk music and Nicolai Romashuk
Sr. recited a poem. Moreover, “Twenty Voices” from www.twentyvoices.com and “Holy Mountain” by System Of A Down
were presented. Speeches were delivered by, among others, Mr. Arshak Manoukian, the Armenian Consul in The Netherlands,
Mr. Noubar Sipan, chairman of the 24 April Committee of FAON, Mr. Dariush Madjlessi, an Iranian human rights activist.
Two other invited speakers, Ms. Esme Wiegman, Member of Parliament and Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp, had not been able
to attend the ceremony due to unforeseen circumstances. Their speeches were instead read.
Mato Hakhverdian, chairman of the FAON, opened the commemorative meeting. He cited the words of Robert Fisk, that
the Armenian Genocide is “one of those historical tragedies that by elapse of time gets more and more significance”.
This is mainly because the consequent generations of Armenians have kept the memory of the victims alive. This
is in spite of the fact that Turkey has tried with huge financial and political means to erase the reality from
human memory, such as by changing the written language, which makes the access to old literature difficult for
the new generations and by renaming the geographical places. He pointed out that this subject is handled in a TV
documentary “The land of our grandparents”, a road movie, scheduled for broadcasting the same evening by Dutch
National TV. It is our duty to keep alive the memory of the Genocide and to hope for recognition and reconciliation.
It is our dream to see Armenia thus being prosperous and living in peace and harmony. We believe that with our
best efforts this dream will be realised in the the future.
Consul Manoukian expressed his gratitude to the Netherlands for accepting the Armenian refugees during the Armenian
Genocide. He mentioned that the Armenian Genocide was not only a criminal act against the Armenians, but also a
crime against humanity. Therefore other countries call continuously upon Turkey to account for this act. He emphasised
that Armenia is ready to establish relations with Turkey without any precondition and to consider together the
black pages of the past. The aspiration of Armenia to reach stability and to live in peace is only possible if
the conflict about the past has been solved.
The Chairman of the 24 April Committee Noubar Sipan concluded that the events of 1915 cannot be erased from the
collective memory, but still, after 93 years, it is forbidden in Turkey to read about these black pages of the
history. But there are also white spots, according to Sipan, namely the courageous Turks and Kurds, who saved the
lives of their Armenian friends and neighbours endangering their own lives. They deserve also to be remembered.
He mentioned that the first commemoration took place in Istanbul on 24 April 1919, the only case of public remembrance
in Turkey. Later it became a taboo, “the tears turned inwards.” At present, with Article 301 in force, the numerous
persecutions on the basis of this article have led to self-censure. We are still hoping that things will change,
because a small group in Turkey has chosen to look for truth. In this context, a group of intellectuals will meet
today in one the universities of Istanbul to discuss “what happened on 24 April 1915.” Sipan expects that thanks
to such initiatives, the truth will no longer remain hidden and he is thankful for these courageous people.
In her message of solidarity, Ms. Esme Wiegman, who is the spokeswoman for the Christian Union parliamentary faction
in the European Affairs Commission, had stated that even after 93 years, the Genocide is a real topical issue:
“It is something that is on the agenda every day, through silence and denial. The death of Hrant Dink showed how
could, speaking about Genocide, could mercilessly be punished”. Ms. Wiegman, who had attended in January this year
the commemorative ceremony of the first anniversary of the assassination of Hrant Dink in Assen, stated that it
is good that today we speak about the Armenian Genocide and we are commemorating it in loud voices and that “we
can remember it in a moment of silence, but that is another silence than the silence of denial.”
A very strong expression of solidarity with the Armenian people came from Mr. D. Madjlessi, an Iranian human rights
activist, who pleaded in his speech that Turkey, just as Germany and South Africa have done in the past, “should
come clean with her sordid past” and that without such admittance of guilt Turkey cannot be a part of Europe. He
considered the Armenian Genocide not an issue of the Armenians only, but also of all Iranians and in fact of the
whole world. He considers that it is his duty to struggle side by side with the Armenians against denial and declared
in the clearest terms: “I, too, am an Armenian”.
The example of admittance of guilt by Germany was also emphasised by Rabbi A. Soetendorp. He referred to a reconciliation
conference in Germany last year, where he had appealed for appeasement between the Jews and Germans and where a
spontaneous response had come from thousands of young people from the audience in the form of a peace song. “For
the first time, I felt myself at home in Germany, and I realised then the great significance of the kneeling down
of Willy Brandt before the monument of the Ghetto of Warsaw in 1970”. In this context, Rabbi Soetendorp expressed
hope “that a process of recognition would commence in Turkey as well”.
Ms. Inge Drost of 24 April Committee concluded the dignified commemoration function with a summary. Persistence
and duty to commemorate, but not hatred, was present in the speeches, she mentioned. Although, all speakers severely
condemned the Genocide and its denial, their words were still characterised by expressions of hope, reconciliation
and solidarity among people. First of all, it was emphasised that there had been courageous Turks and Kurds who
at the risk of endangering their own life had given shelter to their Armenian neighbours and friends, just as mentioned
also by Rabbi Soetendorp that he had remained alive thanks to a brave German woman. Secondly, there were warm words
of solidarity between nations in general and with the Armenian people in particular.
Finally it is to be mentioned that a TV coverage of the commemoration is broadcasted by TV Drente that you can
watch at the websites of tvDrenthe and You Tube:
http://www.tvdrenthe.nl/761e2b9b-2602-4484-98bd-7f9c0000bf01.aspx?NewsID=22620
http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=4fC_aLprXtE&feature=user
Hrant Dink Commemorated in the Netherlands
19 January 2008 Assen, The Netherlands
- Armenians gathered at the Armenian Genocide Memorial commemorated the first anniversary of the assassination
of Hrant Dink. The commemoration was organised by the 24 April Committee of the Federation of Armenian Organisations
in the Netherlands (FAON).
Representatives of the FAON and other organisations throughout the country laid flowers and wreaths at the Armenian
Genocide Memorial, the Khachkar, in the cemetery ‘De Boskamp’ in Assen in the Netherlands.
Member of Dutch Parliament Mrs. E. Wiegman, (ChristionUnion Faction, a party in the present coalition government)
delivered a speech about Dink’s efforts for democracy in Turkey. She compared Dink with theologist and Nazi fighter
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in whose opinion the solidarity is a person’s responsibility and includes more than just himself,
whereby freedom is not to be found in elevated thoughts, but in actions. Talking about Turkish taboos, she said
the Netherlands and Europe must hold on to the principle that a country that refuses to face its past, cannot become
a member of the European Union.
A resolution was adopted at this commemorative meeting, which is addressed to Dutch government, parliament and
which will be sent also to the Turkish embassy. In this resolution it is noted that Dink’s ideas still are very
much alive and have many sympathisers. These sympathisers need support. In order to provide that support, articles
in Turkish law like Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code cannot be maintained. These articles of the law being
in contradiction with the conditions for EU membership negotiations, as well as Turkey’s obligations as a Council
of Europe member, should no longer be without consequences. The resolution also calls upon the Turkish government
to follow Dink’s ideas on the reconciliation among different ethnic groups of the population of Turkey and to face
its own history, as the only way out to solve the differences in a peaceful way.
With reference to Dink’s words in one of his last columns, saying that he feels like a pigeon, a bit afraid but
free, the ceremony included launching of white pigeons.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Photo's of the
Commemoration//////////////
Dutch daily De Volkskrant
19 October 2007
Turkish lobbyists versus Armenian lobbyists: 1-0
Background
Turkey’s lobby has succeeded: the “Genocide resolution” in the US seems to be shelved. The Armenians just missed
out.
By our correspondent Philippe Remarque
WASHINGTON – What happened to the Armenian Genocide resolution between last and this Wednesday?
Turkey seems to get its way; this much is clear. But it is not exactly clear how the resolution got killed. Is
it by geopolitical perception of the American representatives or by a lobby campaign of millions of dollars paid
by Turkey?
Last week the House of Representatives was heading for a resolution calling up the president “to recognise as genocide
the premeditated annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians” in 1915. A majority of the Foreign Affairs Committee voted
in favour of the Resolution. Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House and supporter of the Armenian case, said at that
time that regardless of all objections made by Turkey and the White House, the resolution would go to the House
floor for a vote.
This Wednesday her passion has disappeared: “We will have to wait and see if it will be brought to vote or not”.
The reason is that a range of representatives suddenly no longer supports the resolution. One of them, Doug Lamborn,
stated “Nothing changes the fact that mass murders and untold cruelties took place. But accepting this non-binding
resolution on this critical moment would have a destabilising effect, now the US need the help of an ally like
Turkey”.
And indeed, Turkey is one of the few US allies in the Middle East and is providing an essential supply route for
the American operation in Iraq. During the past week, the country showed that it is able to further complicate
the situation by attacking the Kurds in Northern Iraq.
So, there is enough reason to follow the White House and the eight former Ministers of Foreign Affairs in this
and not to confront Turkey head-on because of 1915. But, it is also clear that Turkey lends a helping hand to the
representatives. “This is what happens if you have to stand against a very skilled multimillion dollar campaign”,
stated representative Brad Sherman.
The Armenians in America are furious about the “millions of dollars from abroad that are being channelled into
the American political system”. They too have a powerful lobby, with electoral power in certain Californian districts.
But the government of poor Armenia could raise only 300 thousand dollars for a Washington PR office.
Watch now the Turks. How it works exactly is hard to find out. “It’s better to ask the PR office which is hired
by Turkey”, says the office of representative. The PR-office replies: “We don’t communicate on this matter”.
Fortunately, America keeps close record of the currency flow. The documents show that former representative Livingston,
now an influential lobbyist, has received 12 million dollars from Turkey in the last 8 years in order to prevent
successfully the adoption of the Genocide resolution. He is now active again according to the registers. Take for
instance representative Bobby Jindal who received from Livingston 10 thousand dollars donation for his campaign
for governorship. Two months later, Jindal withdrew his support for the Genocide resolution.
Turkey also brought into action former presidential candidate Dick Gephardt. He is lobbying now against the Genocide
resolution for an annual pay of 1.2 million dollars.
Trouw (Dutch daily newspaper)
30 march 2007
Armenian-Turkish Relation
Common Celebration Without Armenian Flags
Turkey spoils own attempts of rapprochement
By Foreign Editor Iris Luduker,
The opening of a restored Armenian church in Turkey was supposed to be a sign of reconciliation. It degenerated
in a good quarrel.
It could have been such a beautiful rapprochement: Turkish and Armenian high officials together opening a renovated
Armenian church on Turkish soil. But what took place yesterday on the small island of Akdamar in the Lake Van in
Eastern Turkey was still mainly a Turkish celebration.
Turkish flags and a portrait of Ataturk brightened up the 10th century church. The opening ceremony started with
the Turkish national anthem. And despite the presence of a delegation from Armenia the Armenian flag was nowhere
to be seen.
The level of the dignitaries was another disappointment. The Turks delegated their Culture Minister, while Armenia
was represented by a delegation of 20 persons headed by a Secretary of State.
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan was supposed to be present, as well as the Armenian Church leader, Catholicos Karekin
II. The latter kindly declined the honour and consequently also Erdogan stayed at home.
Karekin cancelled his visit as a mark of protest against the Turkish decision to make a museum out of the restored
church. The opening ceremony yesterday was a non-religious one. The Turks also decided to not place a cross on
the roof of "the museum".
The leader of Turkish section of the Armenian orthodox church, patriarch Mesrob II, did come to the event. Mesrob
tried to safe the atmosphere by thanking the Turkish government for its efforts. But he also asked to open the
church as a place for prayers at least once a year. "If our government agrees with this, it will contribute
to peace between the two communities" .
In general the Turkish promotion stunt turned out to be a failure. This as Turks just invested 1.1 million euro
to improve the relation with Armenia. The two neighbouring countries have had ice cold relations for decennia and
maintain no diplomatic relations.
The borders are closed ever since in 1993 Armenia waged a war with Azerbaidjan an ally of Turkey. The Armenian
economy suffered considerably from this war. That is why Armenia said that it welcomes the restoration, but opening
of the borders would have been an even better idea. In that case the Armenian delegation leaders would not have
had to travel to Van by a roundabout route.
The most painful issue in the relation between the countries is the fact that Turkey denies that in 1915 Genocide
has taken place of the Armenian inhabitants of the former Ottoman Empire. According to Armenia 1.5 million people
then lost their lives. That the Turkish rapprochement may have been not entirely sincere is proved by the fact
that the opening of the church at first was planned for April 24. This is the day, that the Armenian community
commemorates the genocide.
Background Information
The church is ready, Let’s deal with the city now
The church on Akdamar is far from being the only Armenian monument in Turkey. At the extreme east of the country
lies Ani, the capital of Armenia in the 10th century, by then already counting 100.000 inhabitants. In the enormous
area, right at the border with Armenia, there are tens of rests of churches and mosques. Ani is hard to reach and
despite the impressing location few people visit the place. To the anger of Armenians, the Turkish authorities
have neglected the matter for years. Just recently, along with Akdamar it has been placed high on the restoration
list. Strange enough the Armenian government opened a stone quarry opposite Ani. This destroyed the landscape and
affected the restfulness in the area.
Press Release
The Hague 01-19-07 _ The Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON) is shocked to hear
of the assassination of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink living in Turkey. Just last month Dink visited the Netherlands
to receive the Oxfam pen Award from Mayor Deetman of The Hague. Dink was a brave man, who was future oriented.
The 53-year-old journalist Hrant Dink, editor of the Armenian-Turkish language weekly Agos newspaper, was shot
dead on Friday 19 January 2007i n front of the Istanbul publication as he was leaving.
In many ways Turkey carries responsibility for the death of Dink. By educating generations with the superiority
of the Turks and with the denial of the Armenian Genocide for decades the Turks in fact have been stirring up Turks
against Armenians. Also Turkey didn’t give protection to Hrant Dink, he was in fact outlawed.
BBC-News
Turkish-Armenian writer shot dead
Hrant Dink had received threats from nationalists
A prominent Turkish-Armenian editor, convicted in 2005 of insulting Turkish identity, has been shot
dead outside his newspaper's office in Istanbul.
Crowds of Hrant Dink's colleagues and supporters gathered at the scene, chanting their outrage at his murder.
Dink was given a six-month suspended sentence in October 2005 after writing about the Armenian "genocide"
of 1915.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned his killing and said two suspects had been arrested.
Mr Erdogan told a hastily convened news conference that the murder was a "bullet fired against free speech
and democracy" and he ordered what he called the dark hands behind the killing to be brought to justice.
He gave no further details about those held but Turkey's NTV television reported that police were searching for
a teenager wearing a white hat and a denim jacket in connection with the murder.
Dink was gunned down in broad daylight
The channel showed pictures of a white sheet covering the journalist's body in front of the newspaper building's
entrance.
Dink, the editor-in-chief of the bilingual Turkish and Armenian weekly Agos newspaper, was one of Turkey's most
prominent Armenian voices.
He was the frequent target of anger from Turkish nationalists who viewed him as a traitor, correspondents say.
Death threats
Dink, 53, was found guilty more than a year ago of insulting Turkish identity after he wrote an article which addressed
the mass killings of Ottoman Armenians nine decades ago.
He always said his aim was to improve the difficult relationship between Turks and Armenians, but in one of his
last newspaper columns, he admitted he had been getting deaths threats.
His computer hard drive was full of them, he wrote, amounting to what he called psychological torture.
Dink once gave an interview with the Associated Press in which he cried while describing the hatred some Turks
had for him, saying he could not stay in a country where he was unwanted.
Hundreds of thousands of Armenians died in 1915, in what many Armenians say was a systematic massacre at the hands
of the Ottoman Turks.
Turkey denies any genocide, saying the deaths were a part of World War I.
Turkey and neighbouring Armenia still have no official relations.
Abovian Armenian Cultural Association
21 December 2006
Impressive lecture by Akcam in Amsterdam
By I. Drost
Well documented and eloquent, Turkish professor of History Taner Akcam, held a lecture at University of Amsterdam
on 18 December 2006. The meeting was organised by CREA Studium Generale in cooperation with Humanist Broadcasting
Foundation (HUMAN) and Dutch Centre for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Taner Akcam was invited to give a lecture
in Amsterdam because of the current debate in the Dutch media and politics on the Armenian Genocide. HUMAN wanted
to contribute in a positive way to this debate by improving the knowledge on this matter. The event coincided with
the publication of Akcam’s new book “A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility”,
which will be published in Dutch in May 2007.
Prior to the lecture the participants to this event, among whom many members of Turkish and Armenian communities
of the Netherlands, watched the Dutch documentary “A wall of silence” by Dorothee Forma, a HUMAN production in
1997. This documentary film parallels the personal and professional lives of Armenian scholar Vahakn Dadrian and
Turkish researcher Taner Akcam and their call for recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Introducing Taner Akcam professor Erik-Jan Zürcher, professor of Turkish language and culture at the University
of Leiden, mentioned that Akcam is one of the scholars, who presents “the state of the art” in his field of research.
He combines in his research Armenian scientific publications, documents from Ottoman archives and Turkish Military
Tribunal of 1919 as well as documents found in the German archives.
After Akcam’s speech many Turks stood up to protest rather than ask questions, but Akcam peacefully and effectively
managed to give clear response and at the same time tried to pacify the Turks by repeating the statement: “we have
to learn to talk”.
Akcam focussed in his lecture on his findings in Ottoman archives, especially the material available in the Prime
Ministerial Archives (BaÅŸbakanl?k Osmanl? ArÅŸivi) in Istanbul. According to him a number of documents
can also be found online. At the same time he mentioned that lots of documents have been removed from the archives.
For the cleaning itself there are more than enough evidences; lots of documents concerning Armenian deportations
and massacres have been destroyed during the crime.
He explained also how total cleaning of archives is impossible, even when the government demanded to burn documents
directly after reading. Orders and documents were always copied for different departments and it is impossible
to retrace and destroy all of them.
Akcam said that the first deportations and forced migration already began in 1913 with the deportation of Greeks
from the Aegean area. This forced migration expanded to the other minorities: Assyrians and Muslims from Bulgaria
etc. whose lives were affected in different ways, depending on the intention of the government. While the goal
with respect to the non-Turkish Muslims was the Turkification, in the case of the Armenians the intention to annihilate
the whole population is evident from many documents. Regarding to the deportation this intention was present as
the authorities were aware of the effect of these deportations, but still continued to handle in the same way.
Other evident examples are the decrees issued by the government on the Armenian properties, which gives strong
indications that the intention of the Young Turk rulers was the annihilation of Armenians. Akcam also explained
why UN Genocide Convention (1948) is applicable to Armenian case. For example forcible transfer of Armenian children
to Muslims constitutes one of elements of the UN definition of genocide. Also young Armenian girls were forced
to marry Muslims. This is well documented.
Answering a question about the Turkish proposal to Armenia to form a joint commission of Turkish and Armenian historians,
professor Zürcher said that a dialogue is necessary, but that the proposal is not as innocent as it seems,
because of the conditions put forward by Turkey. Turkey wants the historians to be appointed by the governments
and also all political discussion on historical subjects to be suspended during the work of the commission. It
should not come as a surprise that Armenia cannot accept the proposal under such conditions.
Akcam elaborated on this issue by putting the rhetoric question how such a commission could function when there
is no normal relation between the two countries. Even a letter from Ankara first has to go to Tbilisi in Georgia
before reaching Armenia. Akcam agrees therefore with Armenian government that a commission is necessary to deal
with all issues. He would also suggest the EU to compose a roadmap that includes a step-by-step approach for solving
all problems.
When Turks who brought up a Turkish translation of a book (1923) by the first Armenian Prime Minister (1918) H.
Katchaznouni, in which the author would have admitted the role of Armenian voluntary troops in the Russian army,
Taner Akcam said, that even if this is corrrect, would it mean that the genocide had not taken place? And what
was the culpability of Armenians living peacefully far from the Russian borders, who had nothing to do with the
events in Eastern Turkey? Comparing with World War II, would the fact that one million Germans were killed after
the war in several countries mean that the Holocaust did not occur?
Referring to the alleged 100 thousand Turks killed by Armenians, Akcam recalled that the figure given by Turkish
Military in 1917 in this respect, is in total approximately 5000 deaths, for all the places involved. But we regret
every victim, he added.
Akcam made a great impression by the way he dealt with sometimes-aggressive way of acting by Turkish audience.
He asked to remain calm and show more respect towards each other, but also repeating and reassuring that Turks
and Armenians are not the only two peoples in the world that have problems with each other and that there are ways
to solve these problems, like it is done in South Africa, and that this process needs time and effort.
Reformatorisch Dagblad
17 November 2006
Armenian Genocide
By I. Drost
It did not take long this week for Bos to apologise to the CDA (Christian Democratic Party) for his party's "deadly"
critical remarks about the CDA medical-care proposals (Reformatorisch Dagblad 15 November). But what about apologies
for the deadly remarks he made about the Armenian Genocide? Bos prefers from now on to call it "the Armenian
question". "We speak of genocide too quickly here in the Netherlands", Bos said during a press conference
for Turkish press. The image of Bos dropping his principles, emotionally as well as electorally blackmailed by
the Turkish voters - even when genocide is concerned - was not only of an unprecedented harshness towards the Armenian
Community, but also caused the loss of trust in Bos by all voters. Trust in him as a person, his capacity to judge,
and in those advising him, who really are the rank and file of his party. That's how this "Black Monday"
turned out to be the turning point in the polls.
The PvdA (Dutch Labour Party) invested much energy in a crucial phase of the campaign in meetings with the Turkish
voters, followed by Bos publicly dropping to his knees for the disapproved Ankara policy of genocide denial. Meanwhile
even the PvdA will have realised by now that the first was fruitless and the second was wrong. Especially since
in reality the PvdA does recognise the Armenian Genocide, does not withdraw the support to the motion passed unanimously
in Dutch parliament recognising the Armenian Genocide and since Bos stated on Dutch Radio 1 on Tuesday: “the mass
killing of a people is called genocide, which also goes for the Armenian Genocide", it would still make a
lot of sense, even so shortly before the elections, to openly admit his error and put this ugly matter right. In
this case his colleague party leaders will not greet him with jeers and the trust of the voters will quickly return.
So let him try to convince not only the Armenians, but also the Dutch people of the reliability of the party and
its leader. There is nothing to lose and everything to win: credibility, trust and, since that's so important to
the PvdA, votes. An apology to the Armenians in this case will mean an apology to all voters.
English Summary (translation will follow)
In last Tuesday Europe debate Dutch PM states that the goverment is
of the same opinion as the Parliament concerning the Armenian
genocide. That is of big importance and nessary, he added.
(more translation will follow)
Top novelist acquitted in Turkey
BBC-News Thursday, 21 September 2006, 13:19 GMT 14:19 UK
A court in Istanbul has acquitted the best-selling Turkish novelist, Elif Shafak, who had been accused of insulting
Turkish national identity.
Ms Shafak, 35, had faced charges for comments made by her characters on the mass killings of Armenians in the final
years of the Ottoman Empire in 1915.
Turkey rejects Armenia's claim that the killings constituted "genocide".
The EU welcomed the court ruling, but urged Turkey to scrap a law that makes it a crime to insult "Turkishness".
The trial was seen by the EU as a test of freedom of expression in Turkey, which began membership talks with the
25-member bloc last October.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also welcomed the verdict and signalled that the government would consider
amending Article 301 of Turkey's penal code. It envisages up to three years in jail for "denigrating Turkish
national identity".
"The ruling party and the opposition can sit down together again to discuss this issue as laws are not eternal,"
Anatolia news agency quoted Mr Erdogan as saying.
Scuffles
The proceedings lasted just 40 minutes and ended in utter chaos, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford reports.
Turkish nationalists demanded a punishment for Ms Shafak
The judges said they based their decision on lack of evidence to prove that Ms Shafak "denigrated Turkish
national identity" in her novel, The Bastard Of Istanbul.
Ms Shafak - who recently gave birth to her first child - was not present at the hearing.
Ms Shafak said by telephone that she was extremely relieved her trial was over.
But she expressed concerns that there would be other similar cases in the future as long as Article 301 "is
out there".
The nationalist lawyers who brought the case walked out in anger shortly after the trial opened.
They claimed the court and judges had been unduly influenced by the EU.
" If Article 301 will be interpreted in this way nobody can write novels in Turkey anymore,
no-one can make movies any more"
Elif Shafak
|
Riot police moved in to stop scuffles between nationalists and leftists outside the courthouse.
'Autonomy of art'
One of the lawyers who filed the complaint against Ms Shafak had claimed that her novel was Armenian propaganda,
dripping with hatred for the Turks.
One of the novel's characters speaks of "Turkish butchers" and a "genocide", while others talk
about being "slaughtered like sheep".
Ms Shafak was the latest in a long line of writers to face similar charges in Turkey. But this was the first time
Article 301 had been used against a work of fiction.
"If Article 301 will be interpreted in this way nobody can write novels in Turkey anymore, no-one can make
movies any more," Ms Shafak told the BBC before the trial.
"The words of a character could be used as evidence against the author or the film director. I think it is
extremely important to defend the autonomy of art, and of literature," she said.
ANP (Dutch Press Agency)
5 September 2006
Turkey rejects EU call to recognise Armenian Genocide
ANKARA (ANP/AFP) - According to her Foreign Ministry Turkey is “dismayed” by the European Parliament (EP). The
EP among others demands Ankara to recognize the fact that during World War I Armenians were victim of Genocide.
In a communiqué the Turkish foreign ministry said on Tuesday, that the EP tries to impose dubious preconditions
for Turkey’s possible entry into the EU.
Monday night the EU parliament's foreign affairs committee adopted a critical report about Turkey. The commission
deplored in general the delay in implementing reforms in Turkey. According to Ankara parts of the report have only
been formulated on political grounds. This harms the credibility of the European parliament. “We think that certain
elements of the report are politically biased and are not realistic” says spokesman Namik Tan in a communiqué
of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Turkey disputes that in the latter days of the Ottoman Empire the majority of the Armenian population within the
empire was systematically massacred. It was a Genocide on three quarter of the Armenian population, about 1,5 million
people according to Armenian estimations. Turkey has denied the fact of this Genocide since the twenties of last
century. Turkey will not change her point of view, PM Tayip Erdogan reacted according to press agency Anatolia.
He added that the EP decision is not binding.
The European Parliament further demands Turkey to open her harbours and airports for Cypriotic ships and aircrafts
before the end of this year. If not, it may have “serious consequences” for the negotiation process between Turkey
and the EU which can even come to a “halt”.
Besides the normalisation of the relations with Cyprus the parliament demands that Turkey will achieve better results
in the improvement of rights of minorities (cultural and religious) and bringing down the position of the army.
Freedom of expression needs serious improvement, says Dutch rapporteur Camiel Eurlings.
Declaration of the 24 April committee of the Federation of
Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands
The Hague, 1 June 2006 – The following declaration was made by Mrs. Inge Drost on behalf of 24 April Committee
of The Federation of Armenian Organisations in The Netherlands (FAON) during a press conference in The Hague on
1 June 2006 at the presentation of the Genocide denial bill by Dutch MP Mrs. T. Huizinga-Heringa of the Christian
Union faction. The Explanatory Memorandum explicitly mentions the Armenian Genocide as one of the genocides meant
in this law. The Explanatory Memorandum is drafted by Christian Union Party in cooperation with Centre for Information
and Documentation Israel (CIDI) , 24 April Committee of FAON, and Dutch Antiracism Organisation (LBR).
1. Denial of a genocide is sometimes called "second genocide." A genocide that has not been recognised,
and also not punished, still continues. The Armenian Genocide has perhaps been the most frequently, the most fiercely,
and the longest (91 year) denied, twisted, and trivialised genocide in history. Even today, the denial takes a
variety of forms, in newspapers, on the internet, on TV and radio.
2. Therefore we welcome Mrs. Huizinga Heringa’s bill. We hope that such a law will prevent that genocides
and crimes against humanity are handled in the way the Armenian Genocide has been handled up until now. We are
happy for the attention given to this problem and we are glad for the clarity provided by this law. We are also
glad that the problems of the peoples concerned are no longer considered as exclusively their own problem, but
as a general human and global problem that must be tackled by everybody. By adopting this law, the Netherlands
follows a number of other countries in this respect. It is an improvement that with this explicit definition punishment
is beyond dispute for intentional denial.
3. It is very positive that the Explanatory Memorandum explicitly mentions the Armenian Genocide as one
of the genocides within the scope of the bill. Nevertheless, we hope that once the law has been accepted, no condemnations
will follow, in the sense that the law will do its preventive work; in other words, there will be no need for condemnation,
because there will no longer be denial! What is certainly necessary in addition to this law is to fill the lack
of information, namely giving extra attention in school programs.
4. This bill of the Christian Union is a step forward. We call upon the government as well as the factions
in the Parliament and the Senate to hasten the discussion of this initiative bill of Mrs. Huizinga Heringa.
A world without denial, beginning in the Netherlands.
ANP (DUTCH PRESS AGENCY) 21 April 2006
Armenian Genocide Commemoration in Lyon and Amsterdam
Inauguration of Armenian Memorial in Centre of Lyon
LYON/AMSTERDAM (ANP) - Monday Armenians will inaugurate in Lyon after long legally tussle and in spite of vandalism
of Turkish extremists a prominent Memorial in the memory to the victims of the Genocide which started o 24 April
1915 in the Ottoman Empire.
It is remarkable that this Armenian Memorial is situated in the middle of the city at the Antonin Poncet square,
only 200 meters of the central square Bellecour and nearly 200 meters of the river Rhone, as reported by the local
media on Friday.
The French minister of Home Affairs, Nicolas Sarkozy, expressed his indignation this week and in a letter to the
founders of the Memorial ensured, that the authors of this vandalism will be severely punished. Last month during
a demonstration of radical Turks who deny the Genocide, the Memorial under construction was scrawled with slogans
denying the Genocide.
The Turkish republic was founded by Turkish nationalists after the first world war in what used to be the centre
of the Ottoman Empire. By then the majority of the Armenians in the Empire had been killed systematically and cruelly.
The Armenians state that certainly one and a half million people were exterminated during the Genocide.
During the twenties the Turkish Republic decided to deny the Genocide. The Republic still persists in that. According
to Ankara the number of Armenian victims would be 300,000 to 500,000 as a result of Armenian insurrections and
other war operations which got out of hand. This attitude towards the history, can form an obstacle for a Turkish
membership of the EU, according to observers.
The aggression of radical negationists of Armenian Genocide recently has increased at commemorations or meetings,
According to observers. Therefore the Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON) has asked
for extra security during the commemoration on Sunday afternoon in Amsterdam. The FAON last month wrote letters
to four Dutch ministers to express their concern about the aggressive actions of Turkish negationists such as the
Grey Wolves.
The Dutch Memorial for the victims of the Armenian Genocide is situated at a less prominent place than in Lyon.
It was finally inaugurated on 24 April 2001 in Assen in the cemetery de Boskamp after lots of difficulties and
opposition during the construction. On Monday a commemoration ceremony will take place also at this Memorial.
Answers of Mr. Bot, Minister of Foreign Affairs, also on behalf of Secretary of
State for Education, Culture and Science Van der Laan to written questions submitted by Dutch MP Van der Staaij
(SGP) on destruction of Armenian Khachkars of Old Jougha (sent on 23 February 2006).
Question 1
Is the report correct that by the order of the Azerbaijani authorities in December 2005 graves of particular historic
and cultural significance were destroyed and desecrated at the Armenian cemetery in Djulfa in Nakhichevan? Could
you inform us of the precise state of affairs?
Answer
The factual correctness of the reporting can not yet be assessed. The issue has been raised by the Armenian authorities
on 22 December 2005 at the OSCE Permanent Council. Azerbaijani authorities reject the accusations.
Question 2
Could the government confirm whether the destruction is related to the dormant conflict of Nagorno Karabagh?
Answer
As long as the actual facts of the case are not clarified, one is also not sure about the cause. The parties have
not yet found a solution to the conflict and tensions can continue to occur.
Question 3
To what extend has Azerbaijan been sensitive to international criticism to similar destruction in past years?
Answer
In reaction to international criticism of this kind Azerbaijan usually points the finger accusingly towards Armenia.
Armenia would have, in the eyes of Azerbaijani authorities, deliberately neglected or destroyed the Azerbaijani
cultural heritage in Nagorno Karabagh and nearby provinces.
Question 4
Is the Dutch government prepared to back the EU statement by condemning the events and reminding Azerbaijan over
her obligations vis-à-vis her membership of the Council of Europe and participation in the European Neighbourhood
policy.
Answer
The Netherlands has already, on 1 February 2006. spoken out at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europa,
in favour of an international investigation on the destructions. In the Action Plan of the Council of Europe and
in the Action Plan of the EU, which is being set up within the Neighbourhood Policy, attention is paid to the preservation
of cultural heritage on basis of Azerbaijani obligations with regard to her membership of the Council of Europe
and the European Neighbourhood Policy.
The Federation of Armenian Organisations of the Netherlands (FAON) was informed today that
the Dutch MP C. G. van der Staaij of the SGP (Reformed Political Party) faction has submitted Written
Questions to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and to the Secretary of State for Education, Culture and Science
on the destruction of Armenian cross stones (khachkars) of Old Jougha in Nakhichevan by the Azerbaijani soldiers.
The FAON had provided last week an exhaustive documentation on this matter to the members of Dutch Parliament as
well as to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science demanding them to
condemn the planned annihilation of Armenian cultural heritage by Azerbaijan.
Written questions submitted by Member Van der Staaij of SGP faction to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Secretary of State for Education, Culture and Science
22 February 2006
1. Is the report correct that by the order of the Azerbaijani authorities in December 2005 graves of particular
historic and cultural significance were destroyed and desecrated at the Armenian cemetery in Djulfa in Nakhichevan?
Could you inform us of the precise state of affairs?
2. Could the government confirm whether the destruction is related to the dormant conflict of Nagorno Karabagh?
3. To what extend has Azerbaijan been sensitive to international criticism to similar destruction in past years?
4. Is the Dutch government prepared to back the EU statement by condemning the events and reminding Azerbaijan
over her obligations vis-à-vis her membership of the Council of Europe and participation in the European
Neighbourhood policy.
The Armenian Genocide
TV programme on 12 February 2006
Debate in Amsterdam on 14 February 2006
12 February 2006 at 8:40 pm
What: NPS-VPRO history TV programme dedicated to the Armenian Genocide
When: Sunday, 12 February 12 2006, at 8:40 - 9:20 pm
Where: NL-TV Channel 3
Programme: Recent pictures recorded in the Netherlands. Photos and testemonies of Genocide survivors
Info: http://geschiedenis.vpro.nl/programmas/2899536/afleveringen/26605365/
=================================================
14 February 2006 at 8 pm
What: Following the TV program a Discussion Evening about the Armenian Genocide is organized in De Rode
Hoed - Amsterdam
When: Tuesday, February 14, 2006, 8-10 pm
Where: De Rode Hoed
Keizersgracht 102, 1015 CV Amsterdam
Phone: 020- 6385606
Program: Lecture by T. Zwaan, interviews with third generation Armenian survivors, Turkish and Dutch researchers,
discussion about how nowedays historical facts are handled.
Presentation: Hans Goedkoop.
Info: http://www.rodehoed.nl/index.php?pagina=programma.php
Admission: 5 euro, you can order on line
De Volkskrant
16 January 2006
Armenians claim their bank assets
By our foreign editor
AMSTERDAM - Encouraged by the success of earlier claims seven descendants of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, have
started a civil procedure against the Deutsche Bank and the Dresdner Bank in California. They require millions
of dollars, gold and jewellery that their perished family members have originally deposited at the Ottoman establishments
of the banks.
The banks would also have taken in their possession money and goods that Turks would have plundered from Armenian
houses and churches. The banks are also accused of having hidden the assets and having prevented the descendents
to ask these assets.
Recognition of the Armenian Genocide runs up against strong resistance of Turkey, that states that there was much
violence during and shortly after WO I, and that also many Armenian victims fell. But to speak of Genocide is a
dangerous nonsense, according to the Turks.
In 2004, the American life insurance company New York life Insurance paid about 20 millions dollars (almost 16.5
million euros) to a group of Armenian descendents. Last year the French insurer AXA reached an agreement with Armenian
descendents and promised to pay 17 million dollars. Moreover AXA would still give a few millions to Armenian charity
organisations.
It is remarkable that AXA is a partner of Oyak, the pension fund of the Turkish armed forces. In fact they are
considered as the exponents of Turkish resistance against the recognition of the Genocide.
Lawyer Mark Geragos of Armenian origin, is one of the lawyers representing the seven. He considers that the lawsuits
are especially meant as a pressure means to obtain the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the United States.
The value of the Armenian assets amounts meanwhile to hundreds of millions of dollars, according to him.
Press Release
Armenian Genocide Survivor (92) Died
Last survivor of the Armenian Genocide living in the Netherlands died
The Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON) announces, that the last survivor of Armenian
Genocide (as far as known) living in the Netherlands, Mrs. Hayganus Mardikoglu, passed away on Friday 2006 at the
age of 92 in her residence Breda.
She was born on 5 May 1913 in Zimara (Turkey) and she hardly survived the Genocide. She was living in the Netherlands
since 1976.
The Armenian lady has done everything in memory of her massacred family and for the recognition of the Genocide.
Many will remember her present in her role chair at the handing over of petitions to the parliament, at commemorations,
demonstrations etc.
The funeral of Mrs. Mardikoglu will take place on 17 January 2006, at 15.00 at St Barbara cemetery of Amsterdam.
In the morning a memorial service will takes place in the Armenian church of Almelo.
NRC Handelsblad
23 December 2005
Court fines writers for insulting Turkey
ISTANBUL, 23 DECEMBER A court in Istanbul yesterday fined an author and a journalist for insulting the Turkish
state. Writer Zulkuf Kisanak was fined approximately 2.000 euro, because in one of his book he accused the Turkish
army for destroying a Kurdish village. The journalist Aziz Oser who has cast doubt on the official Turkish denial
of the Genocide of Armenians, was fined of 4.000 euro. According to the judge they have broken the same Article
of the Penal Code as the prominent autor Orhan Pamuk, who is still on trial. He is charged because he wrote about
the Turkish Genocide of the Armenian population during the World War I. AP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Associated Press
Dec 22, 3:11 PM EST
Turkish Writers Fined for Insulting State
By SUZAN FRASER
Associated Press Writer
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- An Istanbul court fined an author and a journalist Thursday for insulting the Turkish state,
the latest convictions under a law that European officials say limits freedom of expression and must be changed.
Turkey's government has indicated that it has no plans to change the law, under which the country's most famous
novelist, Orhan Pamuk, was also charged.
"Freedoms are not limitless, in freedom there's a definite limit," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
said in an interview broadcast live on CNN-Turk television Wednesday evening.
Zulkuf Kisanak, the author of "Lost Villages," was sentenced to five months in prison, which was immediately
converted to a $2,200 fine. Aziz Ozer, editor of the far-left monthly magazine Yeni Dunya Icin Cagri, received
a 10-month prison term, which the judge later switched to a $4,400 fine.
Both men were fined under a law which makes it a crime to insult the Turkish republic, "Turkishness"
or state institutions. The law has soured relations with the European Union, which insists that Turkey - which
began EU membership negotiations in October - do more to protect freedom of expression.
Pamuk was charged with insulting the country after telling a Swiss newspaper in February that "30,000 Kurds
and 1 million Armenians were killed in these lands, and nobody but me dares to talk about it."
Kisanak's book tells the story of 14 Kurdish villages that were forcibly evacuated by the Turkish military in the
early 1990s, during the height of clashes between Turkish troops and autonomy-seeking Kurdish rebels. Human rights
groups say Turkish security forces burned down thousands of Kurdish villages as part of a strategy to clear the
countryside and deny the guerrillas local support.
Kisanak said he would appeal Thursday's ruling.
"I do not believe that I insulted the state," he told The Associated Press. "My book was based on
concrete events, backed by documents and photographs."
"My book is about villages that were evacuated and the tragedies that unfolded," he said.
Ozer was sentenced for two articles - "80 Years of the Turkish Republic, 80 Years of Fascism" and "No
to a Partnership of Invasion in Iraq" that were published in his magazine.
Ozer said he would appeal Thursday's ruling, saying prosecutors have brought against him some 20 lawsuits related
to freedom of expression.
Erdogan, in his remarks late Wednesday, said all countries limit freedom of expression in some way and that the
much-criticized Article 301 of the new Turkish penal code did that for Turkey.
He also accused those criticizing the law and calling for such cases to be dropped of putting pressure on the courts
and thus violating the Turkish constitution, which mandates independent courts.
"People can express their opinions without putting the courts under pressure, but putting the courts under
pressure is very, very ugly," Erdogan said.
Last week, a group of observers from the European Parliament demanded that Turkey change Article 301 or risk putting
its EU bid in jeopardy.
The EU parliament members have vowed to attend Pamuk's freedom of expression trial until its conclusion. The next
hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7.
Pamuk's remarks highlighted two of the most painful episodes in Turkish history: the massacre of Armenians during
World War I - which Turkey insists was not a planned genocide - and recent guerrilla fighting in Turkey's overwhelmingly
Kurdish southeast.
Answers of Mr. Bot, Minister of
Foreign Affairs, to written questions of MP Van Bommel (SP – Socialist Party Faction) on the journalist Hrant Dink.
Question 1
Did you take note of the case against journalist Hrant Dink of the newspaper Agos published in Turkey? (1)
Question 2
Do you share the opinion that it is a breach of freedom of speech for journalists in Turkey if Mr. Dink will be
sentenced because of his articles and what he said about the Armenian history and the Armenian community in Turkey?
If not, then why not? If yes, do you share the opinion that the Turkish authorities should be urged to prevent
journalists from being sentenced because of their work?
Question 3
Do you share the opinion that this issue is comparable to that of Turkish author Pamuk and that for this reason
it should be included in the negotiations for accession of Turkey to the EU? If not, why not?
Answer
Like in the Pamuk case, the charge against Hrant Dink concerns an interpretation of the new Penal Code, which is
not, according to EU standards, in conformity with the freedom of speech. The European Commission has expressed
her concern on this point at several occasions. The recent Progress Report on Turkey, which was published by the
Commission on 9 November 2005, indicates that the use of article 301 of the Penal Code provokes concern, because
a number of judges and prosecutors make decisions on the basis of this article, which are not in accordance with
the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. If the situation does not change, an amendment
of the law will be necessary to guarantee freedom of speech in Turkey. The Commission and also the Dutch government
will monitor this situation carefully.
Question 4
Are you willing to urge the Turkish authorities to try to prevent Dink from being sentenced? If not, why not? If
yes, how so?
Answer
The Turkish government cannot interfere in the juridical process. Verdicts of judges should in fact not be influenced
by the government. However, it is agreed upon in the Reform Monitoring Group, in which the EU-reforms are discussed
at a ministerial level and which is headed by Foreign Minister Gül, that all cases under article 301 will
be monitored carefully. Should it be proved in the long term, that case law is not in line with what the government
had in mind with the article, the article will be revised. The Turkish government has always indicated that it
wishes to be a modern state according to European standards. The fact that the negotiations with the EU have started
is an important support in the process. It is therefore important that both the reforming process and the negotiations
get a fair chance. It is clear that the reform process still has a long way to go and also that the mentality must
grow with the reforms, so that sensitive matters, like the Armenian history, can openly be discussed. The EU and
also the Dutch government will monitor that Turkey makes sufficient progress in this process and they will thereby
include the progress in the field of human rights and freedom of speech. Should Turkey seriously fail in this respect
(persistent and serious breach) then the negotiation mandate offers the possibility to suspend the negotiations.
(1) Source: see "Case of the Month October 2005 Hrant Dink" on
http://www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/prisoners/hrantdink/
Written questions of the Dutch MP Harry
van Bommel (SP – Socialist Party Faction) concerning the
condemnation of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in Turkey
2050603020
Questions of Member Van Bommel (Socialist
Party) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on journalist Hrant Dink in Turkey (sent on 14 November 2005)
1. Did you take note of the case against journalist Hrant Dink of the newspaper Agos published in Turkey? (1)
2. Are you of the same opinion as me that it is a breach of freedom of speech for journalists in Turkey if Dink
will be sentenced because of his articles and what he said about Armenian history and the Armenian community in
Turkey? If not, then why not?
3. If yes, are you of the same opinion as me that the Turkish authorities should be urged to prevent journalists
from being sentenced because of their work?
4. Do you share the opinion that this issue is comparable to that of author Pamuk and that for this reason it should
be included in the negotiations for accession of Turkey to the EU? If not, why not?
5. Are you willing to urge the Turkish authorities to try to prevent Dink from being sentenced? If not, why not?
If yes, how so?
(1) Source: see "Case of the Month October
2005 Hrant Dink" on
http://www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/prisoners/hrantdink/
FAON News
By I. Drost
Bot: Negotiation Framework for Turkey includes Armenian genocide
The Hague, 1 September 2005 – Yesterday, in a
Parliament meeting, Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot assured the members of parliament that the matter of the Armenian
genocide is already a part of the framework for negotiations with Turkey.
Mr. Bot said so in reaction to the urgent request of several factions to adopt the recognition of the Armenian
genocide in the negotiation framework. In this context he referred to the commitment of good neighbourly relations
and undertaking to resolve any outstanding border disputes in a peaceful settlement, as mentioned in the draft
negotiation framework.
On Chritian Union MP Rouvoet’s explicit question if he understood correctly that facing the own history and in
particular the Armenian genocide are also meant in this wording, Mr. Bot answered in the affirmative. He also confirmed
that this is the European approach of this matter and that Turkey is very much aware of this requirement.
Mr Bot did not expect any problems, like we have now with Cyprus, as a result of the implicit wording, because
it is the standing approach within EU and EU itself is master of the ratification process. Finally, the Minister
gave the guarantee that he himself will always be committed to these statements.
Announcement
August 28, 2005 –
On 30 August, at 1 pm, the 24 April Committee of the Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON)
will present a petition
to the president of Commission for European Affairs of the Dutch Parliament, Mrs. Van Heteren. In this petition
the Committee calls to adapt the negotiation framework. This is the document for the negotiations with Turkey,
that possibly start on 3 October 2005.
In this document, according to the Committee, the recognition of Armenian Genocide by Turkey and opening of the
Turkish-Armenian border, as a start for the normalisation of relations with Armenia, should be mentioned. The Netherlands
should strongly insist on this on an European level.
FURTHER NEWS WILL FOLLOW
Press Release
| Petition to the Senate concerning recognition of Armenian
Genocide |
|
The Hague - On 28 June, the 24 April Committee for the Recognition and Commemoration
of the Armenian Genocide will offer a petition to the Dutch Senate (at 1:15 p.m., entrance of the Senate). In this
petition the Committee, which is an organ of the Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON),
requests of the Senate to express itself, among others, on the recognition of the Genocide on 1.5 million Armenians
during World War I. The House of Representatives already recognised the Armenian Genocide on 21 December 2004,
by unanimously adopting the motion presented by Mr. Rouvoet. This motion was welcomed by the government as expressed
by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Bot.
If the Senate also reaches such a statement, the entire Dutch government (the legislature) will have expressed
itself.
Furthermore, the petition requests to take an absolute critical position against Turkey's hard-running denial policy.
This denial policy and its consequences on freedom of expression and rights of minorities (which, as known, are
part of the Copenhagen criteria) must be taken seriously by Europe and have consequences for the date on which
accession negotiations can start. One can mention the threat of author Orhan Pamuk (who in an interview spoke of
the genocide and now has to live in hiding ), the DVD of the Turkish Chamber of Commerce, provided for free with
Time Magazine under the misleading pretense of tourist information, but which mainly contained a political propaganda
documentary based on the Turkish denial policy, and also the remarks of the Turkish Minister of Justice concerning
a conference on the Armenian question in Istanbul that had to be cancelled afterwards for security reasons.
It is important for the Senate to continuously raise the Armenian issue at a European level, within the framework
of motion Rouvoet, and critically question and incite Europe to more action in relation with Turkey. As such, Prime
Minister Erdogan's "call" to forming an Armenian and Turkish commission of historians right before the
ninetieth anniversary of the Armenian genocide, was not unmasked by Europe or Minister Bot as a publicity stunt
to divert the attention of the commemoration. The incredibility of the call were plain from the beginning. On the
one hand, from the many remarks around that time that Turkey is proud of its history and that no genocide had taken
place, it appears that there is no basis in Turkey for such a commission. On the other hand, from Turkey's refusal
to allow for the activities of such a commission to work under normal conditions, such as diplomatic relations
and the lifting of the border blockade between both countries.
The President of the Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs Mr. van Gennip will receive the petition.
Two reactions in Dutch daily “De Volkskrant” against the denial of Armenian
Genocide
On 9 June 2005 Dutch daily “De Volkskrant” published an article by American controversial historian Justin McCarthy,
who denies Armenian genocide. Reactions were published in the same newspaper on 13 and 14 June, among which reactions
by Prof. Jos Weitenberg, Armenologist at Leiden University and by Dr. Ton Zwaan of the Institute of Holocaust and
Genocide Studies in Amsterdam. Both writers strongly object McCarthy's position and reasoning.
-------------------------------------------------
De Volkskrant
14 June 2005
McCarthy is a professional denier
By Ton Zwaan
Even though the term "genocide" was invented later, the Turkish act
in 1915 against the Armenians was most definitely a genocidal process, says Ton Zwaan.
Under the tendentious title "Term 'genocide' for Turkish act demonstrably incorrect" (Term 'genocide'
voor Turks handelen aantoonbaar onjuist), an article by the American historian Justin McCarthy was published in
de Volkskrant (Forum, June 9).
In a groundless, hazy and disorderly argumentation, replete with half-truths and complete untruths, McCarthy attempts
to persuade his readers that an Armenian genocide never transpired in the Ottoman empire in 1915 and 1916. For
the benefit of your readers, I would like to point out that in serious circles of scholars, a consensus has existed
for quite some time of the main facts.
In the years involved an estimated one million members of the Armenian minority in the Ottoman Empire became victim
of a meticulously planned and large-scale persecution, deportation and massacre.
This systematic persecution and destruction transpired with the initiative and under the leadership of the central
government at that time in Istanbul. Even though the term 'genocide' did not exist then (it was only used for the
first time in 1944), there can be no doubt that this involved a genocidal process.
The space here lacks to extensively examine McCarthy's argumentation, but contrary to what he claims, there was
not a "terrible war between Turks and Armenians", nor a "great rebellion" by Armenians. He
also cites the genocide-convention of the UN incompletely and falsely and confuses the terms "war" and
"genocide".
His claim on the brilliant and brave Turkish author Orhan Pamuk is undoubtedly libelous and his remarks on the
Turkish denial policy and their reports in American newspapers are silly and wholly unfounded.
Whoever wants to be informed of the true course of events can read recently published good studies, such as:
Donaid Bloxham: The Great Game of Genocide. Imperialism, Nationalism and the Destruction
of the Ottoman Armenians (Oxford University Press, 2005);
Jay Winter (red.): America and the Armenian Genocide of 1915 (Cambridge University Press, 2003);
H.L. Kieser en D. Schaller (red.): Der Völkermord an den Armeniern und die Shoah (Chronos, 2003).
For a summary review in Dutch:
'De vervolging van de Armeniërs in . het Ottomaans-Turkse rijk, 1894-1922',
in: Ton Zwaan, Civilisering en decivilisering (Boom, 2001).
Among bona fide historians McCarthy is known as one of the professional deniers,
subsidized by the Turkish government.
The printing of an article such as that without further comment does not grace
de Volkskrant.
Ton Zwaan is affiliated with the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
of the NIOD and the University of Amsterdam.
---------------------------------------
PHOTO: Armenian refugees, crowded in boats, looking for rescue on a French ship before the Syrian coast, October
1915. FOTO CORBIS
---------------------------------------
Fact: Armenians were intentionally deported
By Jos Weitenberg
The article by Justin McCarthy on the Armenian genocide is in need of a reaction. McCarthy belongs to the few non-Turkish
scholars who deny the existence of the Armenian genocide. His arguments have been the same for years. He shows
no inclination to seriously consider the refutal of his fellow colleagues.
Two points stand out in his article. Firstly, the proposition that Armenians and Turks were equal opponents in
a situation of war. This is a false depiction of the case.
The Armenians were victims of intentional deportation. The able-bodied men were summoned under weapons and killed.
The deportations were aimed at unarmed women and children. The deportations were organized and systematically aimed
at specific communities (Armenians and Syrians) and ended in the deserts of present Syria. That food was distributed
by the Ottoman army, as the article claims, is refuted by countless eyewitness reports.
It is true that Armenians incidentally rebelled, that there were armed nationalistic revolutionaries and that crimes
against the Turkish population were committed. To call this rebellion "war" is chutzpah. The discussion
should at least be kept accurate.
Secondly, it is evident that McCarthy regrets the silence of the Turkish government on the events and declares
this "out of fear that the Turkish population will seek revenge'. But on who? Since 1915 scarcely any Armenians
live in Turkey, evidence in itself of a successful genocide. The few who dared to return after the war were indeed
still (vengefully?) killed.
That the present Turkish population is unfamiliar with the ethnic cleansings - of Armenian, Syrians, Greeks and
Kurds - that went hand in hand with the foundation of modern Turkey in the second and third decades of the twentieth
century, is certainly regrettable. Turkey's wish to access the EU finally offers an opportunity to come to terms
with these kind of facts.
McCarthy's article distorts and denies the facts and is not a useful addition to reconciliation.
Jos Weitenberg
The author is professor of Armenian Studies at Leiden University.
FEDERATION OF ARMENIAN ORGANISATIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS
24 April Committee
Press Release
Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands
demands Time Magazine apology for misleading Turkish information
In Time Magazine of June 6 a DVD of Turkish Chamber of Commerce (ATO) is attached to a number of advertisement
pages for Turkey as the holiday country, a DVD including a large scale collection of propaganda material denying
the Armenian Genocide. Film shots as well as documents present the well known twisting and denying stories, and
an illustrious company of genocide denialists as Mac Carthy and Halacoglu, prosecuted in Switzerland for denying
the Armenian genocide, make statements of the well known kind.
The Federation cannot imagine how a quality magazine like Time could have added such a DVD to the 494 thousand
copies of Time, intended for the European market. The Federation protests against this sort of misleading information
and demands Time Magazine at least apology on the front page of next week issue.
Turkey will not impress Europe with this rearguard action and propaganda DVD, since for most European Countries
the Armenian Genocide is a fact, politically as well as scientifically spoken.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Editor of Time Magazine
Dear Madam, Sir,
The Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands and it’s 24 April Committee are astonished by the fact
that how a quality magazine like Time could have added a free DVD as tourist information for Turkey, which however
practically exclusively contains misleading historical information, namely obvious distortion of historical facts
in favour of denial of the Armenian Genocide. According to our information this DVD is distributed this week to
494 thousand subscribers of Time Magazine in Europe.
The Federation protests against this misinformation and demands Time Magazine at least apology on the front page
of next week issue. We also ask you to withdraw the copies from the retailers.
Although the DVD is not made by Time Magazine, we hold Time Magazine responsible for this very unwanted present.
Waiting for your reaction.
Yours sincerely
Written questions of the Dutch MP van Baalen (VVD - liberal faction)
concerning the statement of the Turkish justice minister on a conference organised by three Turkish universities
in Istanbul about the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and Press
Release of Dutch Press Agency ANP on the postponement of this
Genocide conference
House of Representatives of the States General 2
----------------------------------------------------------
Assembly Year 2004-2005
Questions asked by the Members of the Chamber
Published: 30 May 2005
http://www.tweedekamer.nl/
-------------------------
2040515450
Questions of the member Van Baalen (VVD) to the Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning the postponement of a congress in
Istanbul on the Armenian and Assyrian Genocide.
1. Are you aware of the fact that three Turkish universities had intended to organise a congress at Istanbul on
Armenian and Assyrian Genocide in the period of 1915-1923 and that they have had to decide to postpone this meeting
because the Turkish minister of justice called the congress as “a stab in the back to Turkish nation”?(1)
2. Do you share the opinion that the statements of the Turkish minister of justice are at variance with the opening
of the accession negotiations of the European Union with Turkey by coming 3 October?
3. Are you ready to address the Turkish government on aforementioned incident, also on the basis of the motion
of Rouvoet et al adopted by the Chamber?(2)
4. Are you ready to inform the Chamber in more detail about the aforementioned incident and the action undertaken
by you?
(1) - DUTCH PRESS AGENCY, 25 May 2005.
(2) - Chamber document 21 501-20, no. 270.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANP
- Dutch Press Agency - 25 May 2005
Turkish university abandons Genocide debate
ISTANBUL (DUTCH PRESS AGENCY/RTR) - a Turkish university has cancelled Wednesday a conference on massacres of Armenians
which took place 90 years ago. The Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek had accused of treason the critical scholars
who would participate to the debate.
The conference at Bosporus University in Istanbul would have begun next week. Also historians were invited who
say that at that period Genocide has been committed. Minister Cicek spoke Tuesday in the Turkish parliament of
“a stab in the back to Turkish nation” and called on “to put end to treason and the propaganda against Turkey ''.
International pressure increases more and more on Turkey to recognise massacres and the Genocide forms a problem
for the Turkish accession negotiations with the European Union. The Turkish PM Recep Tyyip Erdogan recently called
on for an open debate and has wanted to appoint a common Turkish Armenian committee for historical research. But
Turkey still refuses to recognise massacres as a genocide.
In April 1915 the authorities in the then Ottoman Empire ordered to arrests Armenian leaders, who would be in struggle
against Turkish predominance. That formed the beginning of a period of organised massacre where according to historians
between 1 and 1.5 million Armenians were killed. Turkey speaks of 300,000 dead and emphasises that in those restless
period there was also many Turkish victims.
BROAD MEDIA COVERAGE ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
DUTCH PRESS REVIEW - APRIL 2005
The Hague - 14 May 2005
Last April the Armenian Genocide was covered by several TV and radio broadcasting and articles in more than 40
newspapers in the Netherlands. In this release an overview of the Dutch media is outlined, with a short analysis.
Most of the news was about the commemoration of 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, but there were also
articles and information about the background of this commemoration and the Turkish denial of the Genocide.
Therewith it can be said that, taken as a whole and for Dutch terms, there was a considerable media attention in
the Netherlands for the Armenian Genocide in this commemoration month. The 24 April Committee of the Federation
of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON) has received many reactions of Dutch people, who especially
from TV news, heard something about this Genocide for the first time in their life. The Armenian genocide does
not occur in most Dutch history books.
TV and Radio
What concerns the TV, the commemoration in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia was largely covered on 24 April evening
news by the national broadcasting corporations NOS and RTL, whereas NOS news also gave an extensive coverage of
the commemoration in the Netherlands at the Armenian Genocide Monument in Assen.
Concerning the radio, several programs have been dedicated to the Armenian Genocide on and around April 24, among
which a coverage on the national Radio One of the commemoration in the the Netherlands in Assen, a discussion on
the Radio Netherlands (world) between Mato Hakhverdian of the Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands
(FAON) and Zeki Arslan of the Co-operating Turkish Organisations, and a coverage of the commemoration in Yerevan
by VPRO broadcasting company with among others Satik Avetissian and journalist Bernard Bouwman, correspondent in
Turkey for the Dutch daily NRC and Radio One. Also there was 2 hours lasting live program on regional Radio West,
with representatives of the FAON and its 24 April Committee in the studio and with contributions of armenologist
Jos Weitenberg and the Members of Parliament André Rouvoet and Harry van Bommel.
Newspapers
As far as we know, in the month of April, the printed press has published at least 45 articles about the Genocide.
This number does not include the press releases of the ANP (Dutch Press Agency) and of a lot of internet news pages
in Dutch such as Nieuwsnet. Some articles with English translation have been published in the month April on the
site www.24april.nl of the 24 April Committee.
The articles can be subdivided in 4 major general contemplative articles, mostly before the commemoration, one
of which being a full page article of Dutch opinion leader Paul Scheffer, who is also a member of the Recommending
Committee of the 24 April Committee, 2 main editorial articles , 17 reports of the commemoration on April 24, mostly
with (colour) photos (17 newspapers on April 25, among which 9 national daily newspapers and 8 regional daily newspapers),
8 reports about the Turkish "countermeasures" against the attention given for the commemoration, 4 opinion
articles and columns, including an article by Inge Drost of the 24 April committee, articles on the Armenian communities
of Syria and Israel and one article on the recognition of the genocide by Polish parliament. Finally 5 articles
appeared as aftermath of the commemoration in Assen, because of the denial of the Armenian Genocide by a member
of the CDA (Christian Democrat) faction of Turkish descent in the Municipal Council of Almelo, in reaction to a
notice transmitted to him on the commemoration in Assen.
The scope of articles is practically without exception positive in relation with the necessity of recognition of
the Armenian Genocide by Turkey. The recent recognition by the Dutch parliament has been brought up several times.
In more than 30 articles the word Genocide is used explicitly, from which 11 times in the title and in addition
a number of times in subtitles or subscription of illustrations. The term "Genocide monument" mentioned
in the press releases of the 24 April Committee to indicate the Khachkar in Assen, has been in many cases taken
over by Dutch press.
The wish of Turkey to join the EU plays a role in many news articles. The news about the invitation by Turkey for
historical research aiming to create confusion, produced, however, attention but also much scepticism, because
the Turkish news was contradictory. The contents of the press release with first critical comment of the FAON on
the proposal of Erdogan were taken over in the response of the Dutch daily Reformatorisch Dagblad, on the front
page. Also it did not remain unnoticed in other newspapers that the wish of PM Erdogan with his proposal of joint
historical research to put the world (Europe) in the right mood, had to be accompanied by the insurance "at
home" that there is nothing wrong with the past of Turkey.
Some Dutch citizens of Turkish descent, except one case, played a positive role in the news in relation with the
recognition and the reform process which must lead to it in Turkey. The exception concerns aforementioned CDA member
of Turkish decent in the Municipal Council of Almelo, who reacted to a notice on the main commemoration in Assen
by a member of GroenLinks (Greens) faction of Armenian descent, characterising the Genocide as "a fairy tale".
The commemoration in Assen and the "clash" in the Municipal Council of Almelo became also news with large
attention in the regional newspaper Tubantia and even in an important national morning daily newspaper. About this
question the newspaper also published a letter of Inge Drost of 24 April Committee.
It is to be still mentioned that as from the beginning of March by the 24 April Committee of the Federation of
Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON) notices have already been sent to the media about the activities
on the occasion of the 90th anniversary commemoration in Armenia and in the Netherlands. One radio broadcasting
company and one newspaper have sent reporters to Armenia for the coverage of the commemoration there. Further it
should be noted that in the month of April the website of the 24 April Committee of the FAON (www.24april.nl) have
had several thousands of visitors.
Finally, those wishing further information can visit the Internet site of the 24 April Committee of the Armenian
Federation in the Netherlands: www.24april.nl, where the list with news items is published.
The 24 April Committee will be grateful for additions to our list, which is undoubtedly not complete!
Dutch Newspaper overview month of April 2005
6 April
Newspaper: NRC Handelsblad
Title: Each Armenian has atrocious memories
Remark: Report about Armenians in Syria
11 April
Newspaper: NRC Handelsblad
Title: Turkish parliament discusses Armenian question
Title: Turkish core bomb on Washington
Remark: Article in connection with the novel "Storm of metal"
14 April
Newspaper: Reformatorisch Dagblad
Title: Erdogan wants debate on Armenian genocide
Newspaper: NRC Handelsblad
Title: Turkey: Research with Armenia
Newspaper: Trouw
Title: Turkish premier wants debate on Armenian Genocide
15 April
Newspaper: Leidsch Dagblad
Contents: Notice concert for the commemoration of Armenian Genocide
Newspaper: Trouw
Title: Applause in Turkish parliament: No, it was no Genocide!
Newspaper: NRC Handelsblad
Title: 90 years of denial
Remark: Main editorial
20 April
Newspaper: De Telegraaf
Title: Debate but no guilt recognition of Turkey towards Armenians
21 April
Newspaper: Spits
Title: Erdogan wants debate on Armenians
Newspaper: Haagsche Courant
Title: Turkey does not think of guilt recognition towards Armenia
Newspaper: Reformatorisch Dagblad
Title: Turkey angry on Polish recognition of Genocide
22 April
Newspaper: Algemeen Dagblad
Title: Israel ignores the drama of Armenia
Photo: Demonstration in Jerusalem
Newspaper: Nederlands Dagblad
Title: Massacres of Armenians continues pursue Turkey
23 April
Newspaper: De Gelderlander
Title: Armenians of Nijmegen commemorate Genocide
Newspaper: NRC Handelsblad
Title: How to deal with white spots of the past: conscience and forgetting do not go together
Remark: Article by Paul Scheffer
Newspaper: Reformatorisch Dagblad
Title: Armenian question is litmus test for Ankara
Photo: Mass grave
24 April: NOS Radio and TV; RTL4-TV, ANP; Internet
News Pages of De Telegraaf, Novum NOS etc.
25 April
a. National daily newspapers
Newspaper: De Volkskrant
Title: Genocide 1915 commemorated by Armenians
Remark: Front page
Newspaper: Trouw
Title: Again only Armenians mourn for Armenians
Title: Turkey must get time to face history
Remark: Two Articles with two photos of Tsitsernakaberd
Newspaper: De Telegraaf
Title: Million Armenians commemorate Genocide
Photos: Kocharian and Tsitsernakaberd
Newspaper: Spits -
Title: Armenians commemorate genocide
Remark: report with photo of torch-march in Yerevan
Newspaper: Het Parool -
Title: Armenians mourn mass slaughtering
Remark: report with photo of Tsitsernakaberd
Newspaper: Algemeen Dagblad
Title: Armenians commemorate genocide
Financial daily
Title: Massacre commemorated in Armenia
Newspaper: Reformatorisch Dagblad -
Title: Pursue the denialists of Armenian genocide
Remark: Opinion article by 24 April Committee, with photo of a poster in Paris
b. Regional daily newspapers
Newspaper: Utrechts Nieuwsblad
Title: Millions commemorate massacres of Armenians
Newspaper: Rijn en Gouwe
Title: Armenians commemorate Genocide
Newspaper: The Gelderlander
Title: Millions commemorate massacre
Newspaper: Brabants Dagblad with illustration
Title: Armenians commemorate Genocide
Newspaper: Rotterdams Dagblad
Title: Massive march of Armenians
Newspaper: Leidsch Dagblad
Title: Armenians commemorate Genocide
Photo: Torch-march in Yerevan
Provinciaal Zeeuwse Courant
Title: Armenians commemorate Genocide
Photo: Tsitsernakaberd
Newspaper: De Limburger, with illustration
Title: Million Armenians commemorate Genocide
Photo: Tsitsernakaberd
Newspaper: Tubantia
Title: Armenians commemorate Genocide committed by Turks
26 April
Newspaper: Trouw
Title: Armenians and Turks have right for recognition of massacres of 1915
Remark: Main editorial article
Newspaper: De Volkskrant
Title: Black April
Remark: Column by Turkish writer and actress Nazmye Oral
27 April
Newspaper: NRC Handelsblad
Title: Study of Armenian Genocide
Newspaper: Tubantia:
Title: Turkish Council member calls Armenian Genocide "a fairy tale "
Title: Remarks of CDA member Bicici bad for politics of Almelo
28 April
Algemeen Dagblad
Title: Council of Almelo quarrels on massacres by Turks
29 April
Trouw
Title: One of the commands signed by Talaat says: The aim of the Armenian deportation is destruction
Remark: Contemplation column by writer Koen Koch
Newspaper: Tubantia
Title: A painful question for CDA Almelo
30 April
Newspaper: Trouw
Title: Turkey is looking for rapprochement
Newspaper: Tubantia
Title: Recognition of Genocide
Title: Make excuses to Aram Yilan
Remark: Two comments on the question Bicici by Assyrian democratic organisation - ADO and by 24 April Committee
of FAON
Newspaper: De Volkskrant
Title: Genocide
Remark: Reaction to article “Black April”
^Back^
Press Release
COMMEMORATION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 1915-2005
Great public interest for commemoration of Armenian Genocide at the Armenian
Genocide memorial in Assen
Assen/The Hague, 24 April 2005 - By buses, train and cars from several parts of
the country more than thousand Armenians and other interested persons attended today the commemoration ceremony
of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at the Armenian Genocide memorial in Assen. A survivor of the
Armenian Genocide, meanwhile the 92 years old lady was also present this year in Assen.
The commemoration meeting was organised by the 24 April Committee of the Federation of Armenian Organisations in
the Netherlands (FAON). The ceremony started with laying of wreaths and prayer of the Armenian priest at the memorial
in the cemetery De Boskamp in Assen. This memorial was erected at the request of an Armenian inhabitant of Assen
four years ago following intensive protest of rightist Turks and procedures up to the Council of State.
This year's commemoration is significant for the Armenians living in Holland by the fact that the Dutch parliament
has recognised the Armenian Genocide last year by adopting the Rouvoet motion.
After the ceremony at the memorial a commemoration meeting took place in the auditorium with Armenian declamation
and music (among others doudouk) and with several speakers like Dutch MP Farah Karimi, professor René Diekstra,
the Armenologist professor Jos Weitenberg, representative of the Armenian embassy Tigran Balayan and father Armen
Melkonian. On behalf of the organisation Mato Hakhverdian spoke as Chairman of the FAON, Noubar Sipan as Chairman
of the 24 April Committee, and Inge Drost as member of the 24 April Committee. The commemoration in Assen was covered
by Dutch national and regional Radio and TV and almost all Dutch newspapers.
The speakers expressed each in his own way heavy criticism on the Turkish denial of the Genocide. Farah Karimi
indicated that at recent discussion of the Armenian question in the Turkish parliament an ovation had taken place
at the declaration that there was no Genocide. Instead, according to Karimi, it would have been appropriate to
observe a minute of silence for the victims of the Genocide. Professor Diekstra, prevented by circumstances to
be present personally, criticised in his text Erdogan's call for an 'open debate' on this question. Nonsense, according
to Diekstra, because one cannot debate the truth. He is supporter of the imposition of recognition of the Armenian
Genocide to Turkey, namely by putting this as a condition for the negotiations with the EU. This is the best way,
also for the democratisation and human rights in Turkey, according to Diekstra.
The recognition of the Genocide by the Dutch Parliament does not mean that the 24 April Committee will remain quiet.
The Committee wants, in co-operation with Dutch organisations, to do something for the information deprivation
in the Netherlands about this subject, among others by means of lesson material. Furthermore the Committee puts:
denial of the Armenian genocide must be stopped, to start with the Netherlands. To this end the committee will
not be afraid of taking legal steps against denialists of the Genocide.
Pictures of commemoration:
http://www.abovian.nl/blog/gallery/19.aspx
Press Release
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION CONCERT
ARMENIAN FEDERATION: Recognition of Genocide is necessary for the security of Armenians
WIM KORTENOEVEN (CIDI): Israeli position in relation to the Armenian Genocide is incorrect
Leiden, 17 April 2005 - During the well attended
commemoration concert on 17 April in the Pieterskerk Church in Leiden on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide, the Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON) called upon the international
community, and specially Turkey to recognise the Armenian Genocide. This in the first place to guarantee the security
of the Armenians. The Genocide cost the lives of 1.5 million Armenians. Also other Christian minorities such as
thousands of Assyrians were victims of the atrocities by the Young Turk regime during the WO I. The Armenian genocide
is still a hot item because of the Turkish denial.
These days the necessity of recognition of the past by Turkey is often discussed within the framework of Turkey’s
ambition to become a member of the European Union, but one must never forget why this recognition is in the first
instance necessary. That is to prevent the recurrence. As long as in Turkey the history is not accepted, the danger
remains that it will again lead to tragedies.
Recognition and commemoration were main issues of this impressive commemoration with lots of classical Armenian
music, whereby in addition several speakers addressed the audience. From the scientific community the director
of the Institute of Holocaust and Genocide Studies Dr. Houwink ten Cate underlined the importance of education
and impartial research. In a personally tinted story and using one of his poems Dutch comedian Seth Gaaikema (who
is of Armenian decent) indicated his solidarity with the destiny of the Armenian people and of all nations that
became victim of the atrocities of genocide. The Chairman of the Council of Churches of the Netherlands, Mr. Ton
van Eijk declared support of the Council of Churches and indicated that the World Council of Churches called upon
all churches to pray on Sunday 24 April in their churches for the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Mr. Wim Kortenoeven of the CIDI (Centre Information and Documentation on Israel) spoke with remarkable clarity
about the need of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. He criticised the Israeli position in relation with
the Armenian Genocide, which is based on the purpose to not endanger the relations with Ankara. According to him
this policy is particularly incorrect, because the Jewish and Armenian people has the same fate, both being victim
of a genocide. Also there were speeches of the consul of Armenia in the Benelux countries Mrs. Hasmik Soghomonian
and the priest of the Armenian church in Amsterdam, father Datav vardapet Muradian.
Many visitors were very impressed by the exhibition on the Armenian Genocide coming from Information and Documentation
Centre Armenia of Berlin. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Armenologist professor Dr. J. Weitenberg and which
can be still visited till 21 April in the Pieterskerk church in Leiden (daily from 1:30 to 5 pm).
FEDERATION OF ARMENIAN ORGANISATIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS
(FAON)
24 April Committee
Adress: Weesperstraat 91 - 2574 VS Den Haag
Tel. 070 4490209
E-mail: april24committee@wanadoo.nl
Website: http://www.24april.nl
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS 2040511970
Questions by member Herben (LPF) to the Minister
of Foreign Affairs and the State Secretary of Foreign Affairs (European Affairs) on the muzzling of the Turkish
press (Sent April 5, 2005)
1. Are you acquainted with the article "Turkish press is being muzzled"?(1)
2. How do you judge the new Turkish penal code that was enforced on April 1, 2005?
Do you share the opinion of the - protesting - Turkish journalists that there are great restrictions on freedom
of the press, because the measures can be interpreted too broadly? How do you judge in the light of the previous
result of the process against political artist Musa Kart of the paper Cumhuriyet who, after being denounced by
the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan for a political cartoon, was sentenced to a fine of 3500 dollars?
3. In response to the parliamentary questions of member Van Baalen concerning Turkish Article 305, entitled "criminal offence against fundamental national interests",
the minister of Foreign Affairs proposed that the accompanying "reasoning" (comparable to a Memorandum
of Clarification), was not in line with the Constitution of the EU and the European Convention on Human Rights
of the Council of Europe. After pressure from Turkey and the EU, this "reasoning" was modified.(2)
How is it possible, seen the above, that - at least according to the Turkish solicitor Ergin Cinmen - on ground
of Article 305 one is still liable to punishment for criticizing the Turkish occupation of Northern Cyprus and
recognizing the Armenian Genocide of World War
I - noting that these were the most important reasons to put pressure on Turkey at that time to modify the "reasoning".
4. Which steps will the government take - bilaterally and in European connection - to move the Turkish government
to allow more freedom of press? Does the Turkish press policy form an obstacle as such that the accession negotiations
with Turkey to start this year are in the way? If no, why not?
Appendix
(1) Utrechts Nieuwsblad, March 30 2005
(2) Appendix Deliberation, no. 395, debate year 2004-2005
The April 24 Committee announces the Programme for
the Commemoration in 2005 in the Netherlands, of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 .
Organised by the 24 April Committee of the Federation of
Armenian Organisations of The Netherlands (FAON).
For more information look here
Two articles in the Dutch Governement Gazette ‘Staatscourant’
on 25 January 2005 and on 2 February 2005
about the Armenian Genocide. The first article by René F.W. Diekstra concerns a remark on the lack of requirements
in the conclusions of European Summit of last December on the recognition of Armenian Genocide by Turkey. The second
article is a reply of Dutch MP Andre Rouvoet, to the article of Diekstra. Mr. Rouvoet introduced a motion in Dutch
Parliament on the recognition of Armenian Genocide on 21 December 2004, which was adopted unanimously urging the
Dutch government to raise the recognition of the the Armenian Genocide in its dialogue with Turkey during the EU
accession negotiations.
Meeting with Mr. Andre Rouvoet
the Chairman of Christion Union faction of the Dutch Parliament
Organized by the 24 April Committee of Federation of Armenian Organisations
of the Netherlands (FAON)
Date: Wednesday, 16 February 2005
Time: 7 pm precisely, doors open from 6:30 pm
Place: ABOVIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Address: Weesperstraat 91 - The Hague, The Netherlands
Subject: Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by the Dutch Parliament
The Motion of Rouvoet of December 21, 2004
Admission: Free
Press Release
The Netherlands recognises Armenian Genocide
The Hague, 21 December 2004 - the Armenian Federation announces with satisfaction
that today the Dutch Parliament has adopted unanimously a motion concerning the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Armenian community has been insisting at the Dutch Parliament and the government on recognition of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915 for many years. Especially last year, in the run-up to and during the Dutch presidency of EU,
the 24 April Committee of the Armenian Federation has persistently campaigned to bring the Armenian question under
the attention of the Members of Parliament and the Dutch public.
The motion was introduced during the debate on the outcome
of the European Summit of last Friday in connection with the start of accession negotiations with Turkey. In that
debate nearly all fractions asked the government about the absence of the Armenian Genocide issue in the Presidency
conclusions. This in spite of commitment by among others France and the European Parliament and also by Dutch Foreign
Minister Bot himself, who ensured the Dutch Parliament that the Armenian question has always been brought up at
the meetings with the Turkish colleagues. The majority of the Parliament Members had asked to pay attention to
this point.
In the motion adopted by the Parliament the government is
asked “ to bring up the recognition of the Armenian Genocide continuously and expressly in the dialogue with Turkey”.
This motion has been introduced by the Chairman of Christian
Union fraction Mr. Rouvoet and supported by all other political parties in the Parliament.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORE INFORMATION
House of Representatives of the States General
Assembly Year 2004-2005
21 501-20 European Council
Nr.270
MOTION OF THE MEMBER ROUVOET C.S.
Presented 21 December 2004
The Chamber,
on the advice of the ?deliberation,
noting that the European Council, in the meeting on 16 and 17 December 2004 in Brussels, has decided the start
of the accession negotiations with Turkey on 3 October 2005;
noting that the European Council in its conclusion has settled that an intensive political and cultural dialogue
will take place with Turkey, whereby civil society is also involved, in order to improve the reciprocal understanding
by bringing together the people (conclusion 23);
being of the opinion that herewith an honest acceptance of its own history of candidate member state is inextricably
connected;
asks the government within the framework of its dialogue with Turkey to continuously and expressly raise the recognition
of the Armenian genocide;
and proceeds to the order of the day.
Rouvoet
Van Bommel
Van der Staaij
Van der Laan
Van Baalen
Herbens
Duyvendak
Wilders
^Back^
The 24 April Committee is an organ of the Federation of Armenian Organisations
in The Netherlands (FAON)
Information: april24committee@wanadoo.nl
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