THE MAJORITY OF ELIGIBLE MEMBERS OF THE UK PARLIAMENT HAVE RECOGNIZED THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
15.02.2010 14:03

The number of MPs in the House of Commons who have signed motions
(called Early Day Motions) recognizing the 1915 Genocide of Armenians
and Assyrians has passed 250 this week, representing the majority of
all eligible MPs. Of the 646 MPs, only 495 are eligible to express
their own views on these motions, because the other 151 are part of
the government or have other roles which preclude their signatures.

The current Early Day Motion (#287) contains a clause which states::
"This House….condemns unreservedly denial and denigration of the
memory of the Holocaust, as well as of the 1915 Genocide of Armenians
and Assyrians in Turkey, and the politics of hatred and division
which led to these events" and also "….. and calls on hon. Members
to respect Holocaust Memorial Day and to ensure that the Holocaust,
the 1915 Genocide and modern atrocities such as the 1988 Anfal Genocide
are never forgotten"

This UK-wide Recognition of Genocide follows the example of Welsh MPs
in 2006, and 2007, and Scottish and Irish MPs a few weeks ago. Of
the 349 Labour MPs (the ruling party), 225 are eligible and 150
(two third) have signed. The majority of all non-Conservative MPs
have also signed the motion.

Armenia Solidarity Spokesman Eilian Williams said: ". The UK, and the
other countries of the European Union must now accept that Turkey’s
present borders are based on its succesful Genocide of its Armenian
and Assyrian population. The issue of Armenian and Assyrian Churches
and lands which were confiscated by the Turkish State in the 1923
"Law of Abandoned Properties" should be given a high priority, before
any progress is made on Turkey’s accession to the E.U."