Dutch Parliament Recognizes Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides

THE HAGUE — The Dutch Parliament passed a binding resolution on Thursday 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 the 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 members of the Parliament but passed by a strong majority vote, the Assyrian International News Agency (AINA) reports.

“The aim of this motion is to recognize the Armenian as well as the Assyrian genocide,” said Joel Voordewind, “and to 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 recognized the Assyrian and Greek genocides. In 2010 Sweden recognized the Assyrian, Greek and Armenian Genocide.

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