The Belgian Chamber of Representatives (Source: Armenpress)

BRUSSELS (ARMENPRESS)—Member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Benoit Hellings of the Green Party stated on Wednesday during a discussion over a resolution on the Armenian Genocide, that Armenians in the Ottoman Empire were exterminated just for being Armenian, and that state denial of the Genocide is a part of Turkish history, from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, to current president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Armenian Genocide resolution, authored by Peter De Roover (New Flemish Alliance), Sarah Claerhout (Christian Democratic Flemish Party), and Denis Ducarme (Reform), was the eight agenda item during the plenary session held on Wednesday.

Ducarme reminded parliament members that the Prime Minister of Belgium had declared in the Parliament that the Belgian Government recognized the Armenian Genocide. “They were exterminated only because they were Armenians,” said Ducarme.

Claerhout emphasized that the aim of the resolution is to call Turkey to activate its efforts of recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Member of the Humanist Democratic Centre Jorge Dalemain mentioned that the Young Turks exterminated the Christian minorities in order to create a homogeneous Turkish state.

Stephen Krasner of the Socialist Party mentioned that his party has always recognized the Armenian Genocide.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of Belgium’s House of Representatives voted for the draft resolution on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, sending it for approval in the plenary session of the House of Representatives. The draft resolution recognizes and condemns the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and calls on Turkey and Armenia to seek reconciliation.

The Armenian and Assyrian communities of Belgium had expressed their concern over the wording in a draft resolution on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Belgium before it was adopted and submitted for voting by the ruling coalition. Drafts submitted by opposition parties did not pass.

The Prime Minister of Belgium Charles Michel recognized the Armenian Genocide on behalf of his government on June 18. Turkey quickly condemned Michel, stating that his statements were “inconsistent with historical facts.”