Belgian MP expelled from party for failing to recognize Genocide

Belgian MP expelled from party for failing to recognize Genocide
December 15, 2015 - 14:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The political bureau of Belgium's Humanist Democratic Centre (CDH) has made a final decision to expel Turkish-born MP Mahinur Ozdemir from the party for refusing to recognize the Armenian Genocide, the CDH website reports.

The party's committee on ethics had decided to expel the MP on May 29, but Ozdemir had appealed against the decision.

The leader of CDH, Benoît Lutgen hailed the decision on Ozdemir's expulsion from the party, stating: “Political commitment requires clarity and full adherence to our shared values.”

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.

 Top stories
Karabakh independence not a bargaining chip, says Aram IKarabakh independence not a bargaining chip, says Aram I
Artsakh's independence cannot be a bargaining chip, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I told an Easter mass.
Britain urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to de-escalate in KarabakhBritain urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to de-escalate in Karabakh
The United Kingdom is calling both Armenia and Azerbaijan to work towards a de-escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia offers to start talks on peace treaty with AzerbaijanArmenia offers to start talks on peace treaty with Azerbaijan
Simonyan said the situation in Karabakh is very tense, referring to Azerbaijan's recent incursion into a populated area
Russian, Azeri Defense Ministers discuss Karabakh escalationRussian, Azeri Defense Ministers discuss Karabakh escalation
In the past two days, Azerbaijan has been using drones and other munitions to attack Nagorno-Karabakh.
Partner news
 Articles
Azerbaijan's brutal beheadings and torture of Armenians

A non-exhaustive summary of war crimes

 Most popular in the section
Azerbaijan's conflict is with Karabakh rather than Armenia, says official
Karabakh parliamentary delegation travels to Cyprus
Netherlands lauds Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue on Karabakh
Lavrov: There are American biological laboratories in Armenia
Home
All news
Overview: Foreign Policy & Diaspora
Archive for December 15, 2015
Other news in this section
 Topic
 Latest news
Inter signs Henrikh Mkhitaryan A busy few days in the transfer market continued as Inter Milan completed the signing of midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Armenia: Opposition MPs resign, get sacked from key posts Lawmaker Armen Gevorgyan has resigned as the chairman of Committee on Regional and Eurasian Integration.
Russian Central Bank raises limit on monthly wire transfers to $1mln The Central Bank of Russia said on June 30 that it would allow Russians to wire up to $1 million to foreign accounts.
Pashinyan says appreciates Canada's support for Armenian democracy Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory message to the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau on Canada Day.
---