U.S. Representative Dave Trott at a Congress session on Thursday, July 15 raised the issue of the seizure of Armenian churches, including the confiscation of St Giragos church in Turkey, the Voice of America reports.

Surp Giragos Church, the largest Armenian church in the Middle East, was among the buildings in Sur province of Diyarbakir that were expropriated by the decision of Turkey’s cabinet in late March. Syriac, Chaldean and Protestant churches were expropriated too.

“These are the repercussions of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated 100 years ago,” Trott said.

Speaking at a hearing about Turkey’s crackdown on human rights, the Congressman said that every time the U.S. condemns the anti-democratic atmosphere in the Muslim nation, Ankara reminds of alliance and its NATO membership. This, however, doesn’t rid Turkey of responsibility, Trott said.

Summarizing the session, Congresswoman Dana Rohrabacher said Turkey is moving in the wrong direction.