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LANDMARK U.S. HOUSE RESOLUTION PRESSES TURKEY TO RETURN STOLEN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
armradio.am
14.12.2011 10:30
The U.S. House of Representatives adopted a landmark religious freedom
measure, H.Res.306, calling upon Turkey to return the Christian church
properties it stole through genocide, and to end its repression of
the surviving members of the vast Christian civilizations that once
represented a majority in the territory of the present-day Republic
of Turkey, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The measure, spearheaded by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Howard Berman
(D-CA) was scheduled for House consideration by House Majority Leader
Eric Cantor, with the support of Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
and Ranking Member Berman, of the Foreign Affairs Committee. House
Members speaking in support of the measure included Representatives
Royce, Berman, Congressional Armenian Genocide Resolution lead
cosponsor Adam Schiff (D-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair
Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Eliot Engel (D-NY).
Congressional Turkey Caucus Co-Chair Ed Whitfield (R-KY) was alone
in speaking out against the resolution. The measure was adopted by
voice vote.
"Despite Prime Minister Erdogan's recent claims of progress on
religious freedom, Turkey's Christian communities continue to face
severe discrimination," explained Congressman Royce. "Today, the U.S.
House of Representatives considered and adopted my legislation, which
calls upon the government of Turkey to end religious discrimination,
allow religious prayer and education, and return stolen church
property. The United States has a strong interest in promoting
religious freedom abroad."
Rep. Berman concurred, noting that, "This important resolution calls
attention to Turkey's disturbing, persistent failure to respect the
ancient Christian heritage of Anatolia and to treat its Christian
communities as free and equal citizens. Turkey should take immediate
steps to restore all confiscated church property and allow full freedom
of worship and religious education for all Christian communities."
In July, Reps. Royce and Berman were joined by Rep. David Cicilline
(D-RI) in spearheading House Foreign Affairs Committee consideration
of the "Return of Churches" amendment to the State Department
Authorization Bill. Their amendment was overwhelmingly adopted by a
vote of 43 to 1.
"The passage of House Resolution 306 is a great victory for religious
freedom around the world, and is a turning point in the Armenian
people's fight for religious freedom. Respect for the full exercise
of our civil rights is really central to who we are as Americans and
central to the values and ideals that we promote all over the world.
My home state of Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams on
the principles of religious liberty and freedom and I am proud to
co-sponsor the Resolution in that spirit," said Congressman David
Cicilline.
The text of H.Res.306 adopted today is the same as the abridged
version adopted at the committee level.
"Today's vote - over opposition from Turkey's Prime Minister Recep
Erdogan and, sadly, even our own American President's Administration, -
represents a powerful victory for religious freedom, and also reflects
the growing American and international consensus that Turkey must -
starting with the return of thousands of stolen Christian churches
properties and holy sites - accept its responsibilities for the full
moral and material implications of a truthful and just resolution of
the Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.
armradio.am
14.12.2011 10:30
The U.S. House of Representatives adopted a landmark religious freedom
measure, H.Res.306, calling upon Turkey to return the Christian church
properties it stole through genocide, and to end its repression of
the surviving members of the vast Christian civilizations that once
represented a majority in the territory of the present-day Republic
of Turkey, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The measure, spearheaded by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Howard Berman
(D-CA) was scheduled for House consideration by House Majority Leader
Eric Cantor, with the support of Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
and Ranking Member Berman, of the Foreign Affairs Committee. House
Members speaking in support of the measure included Representatives
Royce, Berman, Congressional Armenian Genocide Resolution lead
cosponsor Adam Schiff (D-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair
Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Eliot Engel (D-NY).
Congressional Turkey Caucus Co-Chair Ed Whitfield (R-KY) was alone
in speaking out against the resolution. The measure was adopted by
voice vote.
"Despite Prime Minister Erdogan's recent claims of progress on
religious freedom, Turkey's Christian communities continue to face
severe discrimination," explained Congressman Royce. "Today, the U.S.
House of Representatives considered and adopted my legislation, which
calls upon the government of Turkey to end religious discrimination,
allow religious prayer and education, and return stolen church
property. The United States has a strong interest in promoting
religious freedom abroad."
Rep. Berman concurred, noting that, "This important resolution calls
attention to Turkey's disturbing, persistent failure to respect the
ancient Christian heritage of Anatolia and to treat its Christian
communities as free and equal citizens. Turkey should take immediate
steps to restore all confiscated church property and allow full freedom
of worship and religious education for all Christian communities."
In July, Reps. Royce and Berman were joined by Rep. David Cicilline
(D-RI) in spearheading House Foreign Affairs Committee consideration
of the "Return of Churches" amendment to the State Department
Authorization Bill. Their amendment was overwhelmingly adopted by a
vote of 43 to 1.
"The passage of House Resolution 306 is a great victory for religious
freedom around the world, and is a turning point in the Armenian
people's fight for religious freedom. Respect for the full exercise
of our civil rights is really central to who we are as Americans and
central to the values and ideals that we promote all over the world.
My home state of Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams on
the principles of religious liberty and freedom and I am proud to
co-sponsor the Resolution in that spirit," said Congressman David
Cicilline.
The text of H.Res.306 adopted today is the same as the abridged
version adopted at the committee level.
"Today's vote - over opposition from Turkey's Prime Minister Recep
Erdogan and, sadly, even our own American President's Administration, -
represents a powerful victory for religious freedom, and also reflects
the growing American and international consensus that Turkey must -
starting with the return of thousands of stolen Christian churches
properties and holy sites - accept its responsibilities for the full
moral and material implications of a truthful and just resolution of
the Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.