Dutch MPs issue questions to govt. over anti-genocide rally

PanARMENIAN.Net - Written questions by Dutch MP Pieter Omtzigt (CDA - Christian Democratic Appeal) are the first factual response from Dutch side to the Turkish rally in Almelo on June 1, 2014, reported the Federation of Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands.

The written questions are submitted also on behalf of the Socialist Party (SP), the Christian Union (CU), the Reformed Political Party (SGP) and Party for Freedom (PVV). The rally, officially directed against the word "genocide" on the recently unveiled memorial on private property of the Armenian church in Almelo, turned into an event of genocide denial with a multitude of anti-Armenian slogans and chants.

The FAON believes that such a hatred inciting rally cannot remain without a sharp reaction and consequences and thanks the five Dutch parliamentary groups for their critical questions. A fast response from the government would be preferable, especially as video clips of the rally not only are still circulating on the Internet, but are also regularly repeated on Turkish TV channel, FAON says.

The questions of the five parliamentary groups are addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment (including Integration portfolio) and the Minister of Security and Justice, as these ministers have involvement in this issue.

With regard to the manner of organizing the rally, the Ministers are asked if they are aware that the rally is orchestrated from Turkey, e.g. free bus transportation was arranged by Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey), that UETD (Union Europäisch-Türkischer Democrats), a lobby group of the ruling AKP party of Prime Minister Erdogan was involved, and it was urgently summoned in the mosques to take part in the rally.

Regarding the character of the rally, the submitted questions highlight the offensive and inflammatory slogans stirring up hatred and the intimidating setting with Ottoman costumes and equipment with military music. Speakers often grossly expressed the denial of the Armenian Genocide, in the same way as the Turkish government. The anti-Armenian intention appeared also by the fact that, in addition to the purpose of demonstration, other themes such as the question of Nagorno Karabakh were brought up and the organizers and the participants were lashed to chant (in Turkish) “Karabakh will be the tomb of the Armenians".

The questioners ask whether there are grounds for the Public Prosecution for an investigation into the slogans and statements made at the demonstration. They also ask what steps the Minister of Foreign Affairs intends to take and whether he will discuss this matter with his Turkish counterpart. The Ministers are also asked whether they are willing to disassociate themselves from the nature and manner of the slogans used at the rally.