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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 20, 2011
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE APPROVES BERMAN-CICILLLINE AMENDMENT
URGING TURKEY TO SAFEGUARD ITS CHRISTIAN HERITAGE
Washington, DC - Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved
the Berman-Cicilline Amendment to H. R. 2583, the State
Department-Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012,
urging Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage, reported the
Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). The measure was adopted by a
vote of 43-1, with Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) as the lone vote against this
overwhelming bipartisan amendment.
"This is a vote of justice against injustice," stated Archbishop
Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church
who was present during today's vote. "I hope that this will be the
first of many steps towards preserving Armenian Christian heritage in
Turkey," said Archbishop Aykazian.
Based on H.Res. 306, which was introduced by Congressmen Ed Royce
(R-CA) and Howard Berman (D-CA), the Berman-Cicilline Amendment
specifically urges "the government of Turkey to honor its obligations
under international treaties and human rights law to -
1) "end all forms of religious discrimination;
2) "allow the rightful church and lay owners of Christian church
properties, without hindrance or restriction, to organize and
administer prayer services, religious education, clerical training,
appointments, and succession, religious community gatherings, social
services, including ministry to the needs of the poor and infirm, and
other religious activities;
3) "return to their rightful owners all Christian churches and
other places of worship, monasteries, schools, hospitals, monuments,
relics, holy sites, and other religious properties, including movable
properties, such as artwork, manuscripts, vestments, vessels, and
other artifacts; and
4) "allow the rightful Christian church and lay owners of
Christian church properties, without hindrance or restriction, to
preserve, reconstruct, and repair, as they see fit, all Christian
churches and other places of worship, monasteries, schools, hospitals,
monuments, relics, holy sites, and other religious properties within
Turkey."
Speaking to and in support of the Berman-Cicilline Amendment during
today's mark-up were Reps. Berman (D-CA), Bilirakis (R-FL), Sherman
(D-CA), Burton (R-IN), Connolly (D-VA), Royce (R-CA), Cicilline
(D-RI), Duncan (R-SC), Engel (D-NY), Rohrabacher (R-CA), Meeks (D-NY),
Ackerman (D-NY), Smith (R-NJ), Carnahan (R-MO) and Poe (R-TX).
In a letter sent to all Committee Members, the Assembly along with the
Eastern and Western Diocese of the Armenian Church underscored the
plight facing the Christian community in Turkey and the urgent need
for Congress to act.
"We commend Ranking Member Berman as well as Congressman Royce for
today's resounding vote in support of religious freedom in Turkey,"
stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We also appreciate the
efforts of Congressman Cicilline in spearheading the amendment with
Congressman Berman," added Ardouny.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#: 2011-039
Editor's Notes:
To read the Assembly-Diocese Letter to the House Foreign Affairs
Committee please visit
http://aaainc.org/fileadmin/aaainc/pdf_1/2011_Q3/AAA-Diocese_Ltr_to_HFAC_7.19.11.pdf
To read Van Krikorian's testimony on the situation of Christian
Armenians in Turkey before the Commission on Security and Cooperation
in Europe (CSCE) in 2005 please visit
http://aaainc.org/fileadmin/aaainc/pdf_1/2011_Q3/2005_April_12-Krikorian_Testimony-CSCE_RE_Armenian_Christians_in_Turkey.pdf
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 20, 2011
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE APPROVES BERMAN-CICILLLINE AMENDMENT
URGING TURKEY TO SAFEGUARD ITS CHRISTIAN HERITAGE
Washington, DC - Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved
the Berman-Cicilline Amendment to H. R. 2583, the State
Department-Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012,
urging Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage, reported the
Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). The measure was adopted by a
vote of 43-1, with Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) as the lone vote against this
overwhelming bipartisan amendment.
"This is a vote of justice against injustice," stated Archbishop
Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church
who was present during today's vote. "I hope that this will be the
first of many steps towards preserving Armenian Christian heritage in
Turkey," said Archbishop Aykazian.
Based on H.Res. 306, which was introduced by Congressmen Ed Royce
(R-CA) and Howard Berman (D-CA), the Berman-Cicilline Amendment
specifically urges "the government of Turkey to honor its obligations
under international treaties and human rights law to -
1) "end all forms of religious discrimination;
2) "allow the rightful church and lay owners of Christian church
properties, without hindrance or restriction, to organize and
administer prayer services, religious education, clerical training,
appointments, and succession, religious community gatherings, social
services, including ministry to the needs of the poor and infirm, and
other religious activities;
3) "return to their rightful owners all Christian churches and
other places of worship, monasteries, schools, hospitals, monuments,
relics, holy sites, and other religious properties, including movable
properties, such as artwork, manuscripts, vestments, vessels, and
other artifacts; and
4) "allow the rightful Christian church and lay owners of
Christian church properties, without hindrance or restriction, to
preserve, reconstruct, and repair, as they see fit, all Christian
churches and other places of worship, monasteries, schools, hospitals,
monuments, relics, holy sites, and other religious properties within
Turkey."
Speaking to and in support of the Berman-Cicilline Amendment during
today's mark-up were Reps. Berman (D-CA), Bilirakis (R-FL), Sherman
(D-CA), Burton (R-IN), Connolly (D-VA), Royce (R-CA), Cicilline
(D-RI), Duncan (R-SC), Engel (D-NY), Rohrabacher (R-CA), Meeks (D-NY),
Ackerman (D-NY), Smith (R-NJ), Carnahan (R-MO) and Poe (R-TX).
In a letter sent to all Committee Members, the Assembly along with the
Eastern and Western Diocese of the Armenian Church underscored the
plight facing the Christian community in Turkey and the urgent need
for Congress to act.
"We commend Ranking Member Berman as well as Congressman Royce for
today's resounding vote in support of religious freedom in Turkey,"
stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We also appreciate the
efforts of Congressman Cicilline in spearheading the amendment with
Congressman Berman," added Ardouny.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#: 2011-039
Editor's Notes:
To read the Assembly-Diocese Letter to the House Foreign Affairs
Committee please visit
http://aaainc.org/fileadmin/aaainc/pdf_1/2011_Q3/AAA-Diocese_Ltr_to_HFAC_7.19.11.pdf
To read Van Krikorian's testimony on the situation of Christian
Armenians in Turkey before the Commission on Security and Cooperation
in Europe (CSCE) in 2005 please visit
http://aaainc.org/fileadmin/aaainc/pdf_1/2011_Q3/2005_April_12-Krikorian_Testimony-CSCE_RE_Armenian_Christians_in_Turkey.pdf