WASHINGTON—A bi-partisan group of U.S. legislators are set to introduce two resolutions in support of a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide, including a new measure specifically pressing Turkey to fully respect the rights of Christians to practice their faith in freedom through the rightful return of confiscated churches to Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Pontians, Syriacs, and other Christians communities, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The Return of Churches resolution, spearheaded by senior House Foreign Affairs Committee member Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and the panel’s Ranking Democrat Howard Berman (D-Calif.), calls upon the government of Turkey to honor its international obligations to end all forms of religious persecution and to protect the rights and religious freedoms of Christians. The measure specifically calls upon Turkey to return confiscated Christian church properties.
The Armenian Genocide Resolution, introduced by Congressmen Robert Dold (R-Ill.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), calls upon the president to recognize the Armenian Genocide and encourages the U.S. government to apply the lessons of this tragedy to prevent future crimes against humanity. This measure, identical to H.Res.252 during the previous session of Congress, has been adopted by the Foreign Affairs Committee 4 times over the past 11 years, but has yet to reach the floor for an up-or-down vote of the full U.S. House of Representatives.
“We want to thank Congressmen Royce, Berman, Dold, and Schiff for their leadership in working toward a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.
Commenting specifically on the measure safeguarding Christian heritage introduced by Reps. Royce and Berman, Hachikian noted: “The respect for Christian rights legislation reflects and reaffirms the long and proud history of principled leadership by the U.S. Congress in protecting religious freedom abroad—for Christians and for peoples of all faiths. In calling upon Turkey to end restrictions on freedom of worship and restore the rights of Christians to their stolen places of worship, the Congress will, with the full moral authority of the American people, add its voice to the international effort to morally defend and materially protect the rights and religious freedoms of Christians inside Turkey’s present-day borders.”
This religious freedom measure represents an effort to highlight, confront, and eventually reverse decades of official Turkish policy of destroying Christian church properties, desecrating holy sites, discriminating against Christian communities, and denying of the right of Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Pontians, Arameans (Syriacs), and others to practice their faith in freedom. The measure is consistent with many other resolutions adopted by the U.S. House over the past several decades defending religious freedom and protecting sacred sites and places of worship, as well as with the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and America’s longstanding leadership in supporting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Reps. Royce and Berman speak out on Turkey’s crackdown on religious freedom
“Conditions in Turkey have deteriorated with violent hate crimes increasingly linked to religion,” explained Royce. “My resolution urges Turkey to protect its vulnerable religious minorities. They should be able to freely practice, worship, and study their faith without fear of discrimination or violence. We expect Turkey to make good on its obligation to provide this protection.”
Berman concurred, noting, “By expropriating church properties, harassing worshippers, and refusing to grant full legal status to some Christian groups, Turkey has failed to fulfill its obligation as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which requires ‘freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.’ Turkey must end its deeply disturbing practice of religious discrimination, cease all restrictions on gatherings for religious prayer and education, and return stolen church property.”
The territory of present-day Turkey, home to many of the most important centers of early Christianity—most notably Nicaea, Ephesus, Chalcedon, and Constantinople—contains, to this day, a rich legacy of Christian heritage, including thousands of religious sites and properties. Sources on Capitol Hill report that both measures are supported by a broad bi-partisan group of original co-sponsors.
To learn more about the Return of Christian Churches resolution and to ask your U.S. Representatives to co-sponsor this measure, visit www.anca.org/return.
To learn more about the Armenian Genocide Resolution and to ask your U.S. Representatives to co-sponsor this genocide prevention measure, visit www.anca.org/endthegagrule.
Allah …I Wonder, Where is God…!
To build a praying home is very costly
It is very easy to kill the community
Who dedicated their money
Their Heart…Hands…and Arts
To build a home to pray…
It is so easy to kill them
And take their praying place
With out paying a pence
During almost 100 years …
If we rented those churches to another race
Could have earned some money
And we were able to feed
The orphans of the genocide…
I am searching the almighty
But he is away…somewhere
Doesn’t have any voice
To roar and punish those scavengers
Those who call Allah
Ask power from their own god to slay
And confiscate from others
For what they worked hard…
Can any one believe
Such humanity exist…
Can any one giveus the name of one race …
Did what the grandsons of Holako did
So I will say…there are
I will accept and pray…
Allah where is God…!
No voices left to pray…
Sylva-MD-Poetry
Written Instantly
Very good news.. Oh I will pray to God that this measure passes and at least open a door to some more resolutions that will bring TUrkey to her knees once and for all and demand what has been missing/kept/hidden for centuries….
I just hope our joint efforts will make this happen….
Astvats Metsa…
What happens when Turkey does recognize the genocide? what do we do next? how would we go on building a prosperous state/nation/institutions?
Where there is a way there is a will Annie jan…
Astvats uj yev chanapar tsuyts kta .. as long as Armenians work together, with one feast, one heart and one nation…
Trust in GOd and your people’s strength…
Gayane
This is so cool! It reinvigorates my faith in the democratic foundations of this country to know that their are politicians willing to put their necks out for a humanitarian cause. These congressman deserve our praise and appreciation.
Annie, Then we the heirs of the Armenian Genocide must decide to move to our long lost anscestral homeland where Haig Nahabed our forefather who brought together our ancient tribes of Nairian, Hayasa and Urardus, and a nation was born nearly 5,000 years ago. Where Kachen Vartan fought against the huge army of Persians and was able to keep our Christian faith.
Give me a break, why does no one learn? this will go no where fast. THe military industrial complex is against us, the Jews are against us, not to mention a ton of trade between the US and turkey… For arguments sake, lets say it does pass and turkey refuses… does anyone honestly believe the US will go to war with turkey for us? Wake up people, we should be going into Hayastan building up the infrastructure, trade, population, commerce… and then branching out from there. The rest of this is nothing but theatrics
Resolution, recognition, even return of confiscated churches, could become meaningless if there is no trained cadre of strong willed, dedicated, and well provisioned people on the ground who are able to keep what is rightfully theirs.
Good news. Tangible and specific claims.
Exactly, Daniel. A shift in strategy is long overdue. Along with political advocacy on the Hill and in the Administration, we should create mechanisms for greater involvement in Armenia’s domestic affairs to help create a better-governed country led by dedicated, experienced, and intelligent individuals. Diasporan involvement in Armenia’s decision-making process is a must already. Make this shift happen NOW!
Ash, with that kind of attitude what do you hope to achieve? A miracle? We are confident as to who we are and we are showing Turkey and supporters that we will not back down, and do this forever if we have to. Simple as that. It is better to say let us take it a step at a time rather than not take the step at all. We are creative people, and the rest we can figure out a step at a time.
True that Paul jan.. I agree… Diaspora should definintely be involved and be a large part of every day of Armenia’s affair to build a stronger country.. Armenia needs Diaspora and Diaspora needs Armenia.. not sure why our govt is sooo afraid of creating a evelasting and strong bond between us…beats me..
Ash jan– I also understand your point of view and i don’t blame you.. we have been dissapointed many times but lets be optimistic and do whatever it takes to overcome those obstacles.. it will benefit us more than staying in the negative zone.. trust me it is hard but it is achieveable…but you are absolutely right in stating we need to turn Armenia into superpower in order to have better opportunities to take stage and dictate..:)
Ash – This is a non-binding sense of the Congress resolution. It is not a law and has no force of law.
What a useless idea again! We did not learn anything from our old mistakes. We are knocking the doors of the odars since one and half century. Instead of relying on our mind,sources,and organizational skills, we are again acting like immature people. There is lot going on in Turkey now. If you are living in LA, go and listen those brave and intelligent people from Sasoun, who are going to be here to talk about their organization.They registered all the churches,vanks, and cemeteries around a large area of Sasoun,Mush, Tatvan,etc. Now they need money to rebuilt them. See what can we do without blowing a horn. When are we going to think more maturely?
Again if you are living in LA go to Surp Astvatsazin church, on 22nd of June, and let’s think about what can we do together. We need a good plan and collaboration with the people who are living there and they know better than an Armenian who lives in Diaspora.We need to help them to achieve this wonderful idea.The rest is theatrical, like Ash had mentioned. By the way, steps had been taken long time ago , but unfortunately most of the Diaspora Armenians do not even know what is going on there. Get information and learn more.
arx, my paternal line is from Moush province. What’s the name of that organization? I’d love to help and partake.
We’re being dragged into a new round of theatrical act with no guarantee or prospect that this new resolution will be introduced to the full House… again! The US policy-makers manipulate the issue of Armenian genocide in order to exert pressure on Turkey in foreign policy and regional security matters and we buy this cheaply getting nothing in return. I thought Pelosi’s failure to introduce the bill taught us a lesson, but apparently it has not.
Assuming the editorial board will post this (which is most unlikely, considering the cowardice of the [champion of censorship] editor), we are all still awaiting the acknowledgement by you all as to the genocides which your people committed on countless Moslems and non-Moslems!! It shall soon come to pass upon you liars (among many other things which you all are guilty of)!
In our Haiastan we have need of great and better leaderships. Currently Serge and his cohorts are not patriots which our Haiastan needs – Too, all the leaderships have all been opposed to ties with the diasporan Armenians… (Take all the aid – but do not intrude Haiastan)!! Foolish,selfish, ignorant leaders who cause divisions – and will harm the advancement and progression of our fledgling homeland of 20 years! All across the world, in all the nations that our Survivors sought refuge are our generations since, who all seek to support and secure our Haiastan! It is the leaders, emanating from Der Bedrossian’s and into today whose actions were still of the communistic eras, so many, as when he refused the ARF of Haiastan to join with the ARF worldwide – ignorant and stupid. In unity there is strengths. Leaders from Haiastan have not pursued ties with the diasporans… as if the diasporans are the enemy!! Hey, Levon, Serge, take notice… it is the Turk and the Azeri who are the enemy – not the Armenian bretheren throughout the world!!
Robert, I thought you said you were leaving us. Are you back with more nonsense and racist spite? Can’t live without us? Or the truth about your murderer State and barbarian ancestors is hard to swallow?
Yet another STUPID comment by Robert.. why am I surprised….
Berch jan- don’t believe a word Robert says.. he lied when he said he will leave these pages and never come back but yet he returns time and time again.. if he lied about as simple as that, imagine what other lies he posts on these pages including the one he posted recently on this article…
I laugh at his ignorance and hatred toward Armenians.. it is hillarious….
Gayane
Robert:
What happened ? couldn’t stay away ?
Didn’t you promise not to come back ?
here: [from the HAMSHEN Armenians to Resettle thread – May18, 2011 “
“…..To all of the ARF posters on this site,…….”…… “ As for me and this site, I may return one day, after there has been a change in the editor’s position”]
Didn’t really think we’d forget your solemn promise, did you ?
Maybe you best admit you like ArmenianWeekly, and you like all the, quote, ‘ARF posters’ on this site: otherwise, why do you keep coming back for more ?
Berch: you beat me to it: darn !
Avery jan– from the minute he posted those words on the forum, I wrote right back saying I don’t think he will stay away and will continue to peek his ugly head into discussions and guess what???? He sure did..lol Even AFTER he tried to change his screen name to be discreet but his signature never changed….and we caught that too..:) I am telling you as much as he hates us, he loves as more…and that is evident by him coming back to our discussions… lol
Ehhhhh typical… typical… not surprised though..not at all…
Gayane
Just a friendly note. U.S Presidential elections are only 17 months away, politicians are casting their baits early to get votes. Caution.
As far as the comments posted by ,Annie,Ash,Daniel and Paul they have valid points. However, I would like to refrain myself expanding on this topic other than to say ,this or other Armenian forums are not suitable place to discuss subjects pertaining, Armenia’s national security.
Arx
You are still chasing a dream. If I say, I want to say I am sure it will not be posted because the editor thinks he/she is the king of the world. One more thing, you shouldn’t waste your time to think about how you can renovate your church, It is almost impossible for anybody to renovate an old church or mosque. But you can ofcourse transfer your money to the turkish government so they will spend on behalf of you.
right you are Gayane.
Monastras,
I don’t know if you are following this pages or not, but apparently you have no idea what is going on the other side of the world.Many Bolsahays gave details about our churches and those under renovation.You can also watch on Youtube about the Surp Giragos church in Diyarbakir. This church is under renovation right now and the cost is 3 million dollars. Do you know who is paying the money? Diyarbakir municipality is paying %30 percent and the rest by Bolsahays. They have an organization and people came recently to Canada and New York area to collect money. Who is paying attention? Next, Surp Lusavorich in Gesaria went under renovation two times in recent years, and so the same for the church in Vakifli village, which is the only Armenian village in Turkey.
I do not blame people who can not follow the Armenian media news, and no knowledge about this things.When we are writing the truth, just get interested and find sources to educate yourself. I am not living in a dream, I am seeing the good thing happening right now. Please don”t under estimate the hard work and dedication of some people who are trying hard to fulfill our dream. If you can just help them.These people need to appreciated not ignored.
P.S.Msheci, I will find it next week when I go to their meeting. As soon as get information I’ll post it. Thanks for the intention.
you guys dont understand one thing, do you?! As long as you try to deal with Turkey resorting to third parties (USA, Russia etc.) you will never succeed. Think about it please.
Turan, you guy don’t understand that it is below us to deal with Turkey. We deal with international cause of advancing justice for Armenians because your Turkey denies crime for 95 years. The international cause includes dealings with the US, Russia, Europe, and even with Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe, if needed. Understood or I shall repeat it for better understanding?
Thanks arx, no need to add anything.Excellent points and information.
Turan, if you think Armenians should not resort to third parties and “deal” with Turkey instead, then Turkey must show sincere, unambiguous signs of remorse and repentance for the great crime committed by your grandfathers against the Armenian nation. Besides, our only “deal” with the Turks is to receive an apology: we didn’t mass exterminate your nation, stole your wealth, culture, and your native lands in the Mongolian steppes and Altay Mountains. Besides, how can Armenians “deal” with Turkey, even if they could, if your state keeps borders with Armenia closed, diplomatic relations unestablished, and economic blockade imposed? If you want us to “deal” with Turkey, remove all these obstacles as a first sign of repentance and goodwill.
To Rober,
You’re crying on our shoulder and whinin at .Armenianweekly, being biased? Why you poor ,goo-goo and gaa-gaa, MUNCHKIN. Your, Turkey : ) , has banned ,youtube, some two years ago and still in force. So,maybe you should you go and , GOO-GOO and GAA-GAA on their shoulder ,IF you can about ,youtube, ban. Did you say you can’t? Because why? Because, they will throw your hairy ‘DERNIER’ in , MIDNIGHT EXPRESS slammer, AGAIN? That’s what I thought.
i thought.
Turan, my little male hormon imbalanced, boyscout,
We’ve been awaiting to DEAL with you Turks for a LAWNG time, but your MASTERS,EU and the U.S. won’t allow it, They know how bad your ‘ 197,000, OH MY GAWD TURK ARMY IS SO BAD’ got their DERNIER kicked ROYALY during the battle of ,SARDARA-BAD TO THE BONE, by 40,000 resillient ,Armenians. HOORAH. We have no fear ,HONEY. Our 140,000 Karabakh Armenians against your 9 million Azeri cuz, is a PROOF. Once again say,HOORAH ARMENIANS. Thnx.
Yesterday I read in an Arabic Newspaper ” Al-Anba”
That there are 2350 mosques in Germany
and 2016 in USA…!
Can Turks count,
how many Churches they abolished or changed to mosques…
Barns or guest house for universities
instead allowing to build more…!
Sylva