Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution gains more support Archives

arton126279-480x270 Berlin, May 12, 2016 (AFP) – The president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker warned Thursday that Turkey could not get into the EU visa waiver if all the conditions, including a change its anti-terrorist law, are not met.

“We attach importance to the requirements are met, otherwise the agreement will not see the day,” Juncker said at a conference in Berlin.

“If Erdogan’s strategy is to prevent the Turks can travel freely in Europe he must answer before the Turkish people. It’s not my problem, it is his problem, “added the Luxembourg President of the Commission, which is negotiating with Ankara liberalization of visas.

Turkish President for his part Thursday denounced the “hypocrisy” of the European Union, saying unacceptable relaxation of anti-terrorism legislation in Turkey faces the resumption of the Kurdish rebellion.

The EU executive has led the way on 4 May in the visa waiver, which Ankara has made a condition of continuing to apply its controversial agreement with the EU to contain the flow of migrants wishing to visit Europe.

But Brussels has imposed its recommendation reserves, saying that Ankara still had to meet five criteria among 72 set for it, including a review of its anti-terrorism legislation, the too broad as the Europeans, who fear in particular that it is used to restrict freedom of expression and of the press. One point that Ankara refuses in the state.

The German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel also said Thursday in Berlin that Turkey will be entitled to any exemption on the conditions set by the European Union.

“We have a clear position on the visa issue: Turkey must implement the conditions, it may be of Lex + Turkey + (a special law, Ed). If the Turkish president will not or can not implement them, we can not grant visa waiver, “said he said at a press conference.

The German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier was also felt that the “ball is in Turkey’s court,” in particular citing the need to stop “journalists prosecuted on the basis of articles (law) counterterrorism. “

The debate around the Turkish anti-terrorism law is the source of strong tensions that could threaten the migratory agreement between the EU and Ankara.

It passes through “a very dangerous moment,” warned Wednesday in Strasbourg the Turkish Minister for European Affairs, Volkan Bozkirun.

The agreement on migrants, by which Turkey has in particular accepted the return on its soil of all migrants illegally entered Greece since 20 March, also provides financial assistance to Ankara six billion euros and unblocking negotiations for accession of the country to the EU.

Friday, May 13, 2016,
Stéphane © armenews.com

August 6, 2013 – 10:02 AMT

Senior Congressional leaders serving on key foreign policy and appropriations panels have lent their support to a groundbreaking human rights measure that seeks improved Armenian-Turkish ties based upon Turkey’s acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide and a just international resolution of this still unpunished crime, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Among the top House Committee leaders supporting H.Res.227, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution are: Representatives Eliot Engel (D-NY), the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee; Scott Garrett (R-NJ), the Chairman of the Financial Markets Subcommittee on Capital Markets; Rush Holt (D-NJ), the Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy; Steve Israel (D-NY), the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and others.

Introduced and spearheaded by Congressmen David Valadao (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Michael Grimm (R-NY) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) in May of this year, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution reflects and reinforces previous U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide as a crime of genocide, citing the U.S. Government’s May 28, 1951 written statement to the International Court of Justice regarding the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, President Ronald Reagan’s April 22, 1981 Proclamation and Congressional adoption of Armenian Genocide legislation in 1975 and 1984. H.Res.227 builds on the record of past U.S. Executive and Legislative branch affirmation of this crime, and calls on “the President to work toward equitable, constructive, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations based upon the Republic of Turkey’s full acknowledgment of the facts and ongoing consequences of the Armenian Genocide, and a fair, just, and comprehensive international resolution of this crime against humanity.”

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian discussed the very real, modern day consequences of Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide – and international community inaction in the face of that denial. “Turkey’s obstruction of justice has, over the course of nearly a century, allowed Ankara to consolidate its hold on the genocidal gains of its crimes against the Armenian people, blocking the return to the Armenian nation of key elements—indispensable elements—of viability that long sustained the Armenian people on their ancient homeland,” explained Hamparian, in a May 9th op/ed. “This denial poisons Armenian-Turkish relations, fosters wave after wave of anti-Armenian intolerance within Turkey, threatens Armenia’s and Artsakh’s security, and, of course, fuels regional tensions.”

Source PanARMENIAN.Net