The Dutch Parliament passed a binding resolution yesterday recognizing the genocide of Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War One. The resolution, tabled by MP Joel Voordewind from the Christian Union party, enjoyed wide support from various parties, including Christian Union, People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, Christian Democratic Appeal, Reformed Political Party and Labor Party. The resolution was strongly opposed by two Turkish MPs but passed by a strong majority vote.

“The aim of this motion is to recognize the Armenian as well as the Assyrian genocide,” said Voordewind, “and bring the Turkish government closer to Armenia. This is an important signal from the Dutch Parliament to the Turkish government to acknowledge its past actions. I hope in the end this will bring both countries to a better understanding and reconciliation with each other.”

Armenia recognized the Assyrian genocide on March 24. In 2007, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) recognized the Assyrian and Greek genocide. In 2010, Sweden recognized the Assyrian, Greek and Armenian genocide.

The genocide of Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians was committed by Ottoman Turks during World War One, between 1915 and 1923. The genocide claimed the lives of 750,000 Assyrians, 500,000 Greeks and 1.5 million Armenians.

While the Armenian genocide is widely known and recognized, the genocide of Assyrians and Greeks is lesser known. But the genocide of Assyrians and Greeks cannot be separated from the Armenian genocide, as they were perpetrated at the same time and by the same policy. The genocide is one and the same. It was a genocide against Christians.

Assyrians have worked with Greeks and Armenians to pressure Turkey to recognize the genocide of World War One.

(source: AINA)



