Christine Defraigne – President of the Belgian Senate – says there is a necessity of criminalizing the denial of Armenian Genocide in Belgium.
After a meeting with Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Galust Sahakyan, Christine Defraigne told reporters the Belgian Parliament was one of the first European Parliaments to adopt a strict resolution in 1998 on condemning the Armenian Genocide.
“And we even made steps to move even further ahead and define criminal responsibility for the denial of the Genocide. We began working in that direction quite early. The denial of Armenian Genocide must be equal to a crime. At that time we didn’t reach our goal, but I think that by the adoption of resolutions by different level Parliaments of Belgium condemning the Armenian Genocide we will reach the realization of our goal”, she said.
She added that it’s not about Parliaments dictating the history, there is simply a need to convey history to the new generations, in order to once and for all condemn all acts of genocide.
“Our countries must move towards the future. I think our peoples have similar values, and in my opinion we can continue this path together”, she added.
Defraigne said Europe’s doors are always open for Armenia.
“We understand that Armenia is located in a difficult geopolitical position, however I have to say that Europe’s doors are always open for negotiations, for work in any field and united development. Belgium will spare no effort in supporting Armenia in its decision”, she said
