Armenian and Aramean communities of Belgium expressed their deep concern over the wording in the draft resolution on the acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide by Belgium. The document was adopted on July 7 in Foreign Affairs Committee of Belgium’s House of Representatives.  The Committee of Belgian Armenians, Committee of Hay Tad and the Aramean Federation of Belgium criticize the ambiguity of the text, particularly points 2 and 9, Nouvelles d'Arménie reports.

Point 2 demands the federal government of Belgium “to acknowledge that modern Turkey cannot hold moral and historical liability for the tragedy, survived by the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.” Point 9 urges to back the initiatives of NGOs in Turkey and Armenia, whose work is aimed at normalizing the relations between the two countries.

The organizations of the Armenian and Aramaic communities labeled the second point unsuccessful, noting that nowadays courageous representatives of the intellectuals and   members of Turkey’s civil society are advocating for truth, and struggling for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by their country despite threats.   

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

As to the ninth point, the authors of the statement said: “First of all, it is necessary to contribute to bringing together the Belgium Turkish associations, which recognize the Armenian Genocide, with the Armenian and Aramean associations, to try to aligning the dialogue. These kinds of initiatives will enhearten the Belgians of Turkish descent, who don’t dare to publicly acknowledge the Armenian and Aramean Genocide.”

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Committee of Belgium’s House of Representatives adopted a resolution on the Armenian Genocide during the session on July 7. The draft resolution introduced by the parliamentary majority was adopted. Following the debate, the text was adopted, though not unanimously. Amendments proposed by the opposition were declined by the majority of MPs.