PRESS RELEASE
24 April Committee
for the recognition and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915
The 24 April Committee is an organ of the Federation of Armenian
Organisations in The Netherlands (FAON)
Weesperstraat 91
2574 VS The Hague
The Netherlands
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
Tel: +31-704490209
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Reasoning accompanying Article 305 of Turkish Penal Code adjusted
THE HAGUE, 10 November 2004 – In response to written questions of
Member of Parliament Van Baalen (VVD) Minister Bot of foreign affairs
of the Netherlands stated today that the explanation on Article 305
of the new Turkish Penal Code has been adapted.
The title of Article 305 is “Crimes against fundamental national
interests”. A document accompanying the Article as an explanatory
memorandum or ‘reasoning’ is established by the parliament during the
approval of the law. The ‘reasoning’ accompanying Article 305 provided
as illustration of such offences the acceptance of compensations
for propaganda for withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus, and for
claiming that in the aftermath of the World War I the Armenians were
subjected to Genocide.
Minister Bot noted that the text of the ‘reasoning’ was not in line
with the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the EU and the European
Convention on Human Rights of the Council of Europe. The ‘reasoning’
has been meanwhile adapted. This has happened, according to Mr. Bot,
under pressure of several circles, among which Turkish politicians,
lawyers and commentators. Also the EU frequently insisted to adapt
the text. Mr. Bot believes that the question has been settled.
See the original text of answers to the writen questions in Dutch at:
3X38547X09