AZG Armenian Daily #092, 21/05/2005

Armenian Genocide

APPEAL OF JEWS OF BELGIUM

‘Those denying Armenian genocide must be punished’

The Jewish Secular Community Center of Belgium (Centre Communautaire
Laic Juif) appealed on May 20 to the senators of the country to vote
for the 51/1284 bill which administers punishment for those denying the
Armenian Genocide. “The Turkish state has never officially recognized
the Armenian genocide by the Young Turks in 1915-1917. Belgium
recognized it in 1998 joining thus France, Canada, Poland and the
European Parliament. But, contrary to this, a handful of attacks by
the deniers in Belgium were not brought to court. Those attacks are an
insult to the Armenians’ memory and sufferings which is unacceptable
for a democratic state we live in. Hence, the voting of 51/1284 bill
will allow putting an end to impunity. We cannot remain indifferent
to indignation, anger and grief of Belgium’s Armenian community”,
the appeal reads.