It’s long past time for Britain to recognise the Armenian genocide
Armen Sarkissian
Monday April 25 2022, 12.01am BST, The Times
On April 24, 1915, the Ottoman Empire embarked on one of the most appalling episodes of savagery in modern history: 1.5 million Armenians were either massacred, marched into death camps, or starved to death in a methodical campaign of terror. The origin of the word “genocide” and its recognition in international law are a legacy of that tragic period in Armenia’s history.
Yet today the lessons of the Armenian Genocide risk being lost to history through a failure of conscience. With its ever more pivotal role in the politics of the Black Sea region and of the volatile Caucasus, where Armenia has been in a weakened state since the 2020 war with Azerbaijan, Turkey persists with its denial of the dark period of the Armenian Genocide in its history. Ankara’s obstinacy has been bolstered by the decision of some countries, including the United Kingdom, to turn a politically expedient blind eye to history.
But we cannot credibly denounce the atrocities of the 21st Century if we refuse to acknowledge the crimes of the 20th Century that helped shape our world. The British government has an opportunity to right a grave wrong and set an example to the world by recognising the Armenian Genocide and establishing an annual commemoration of its anniversary, which is observed each year by the Armenian nation on April 24.
Last month, in an attempt to place Britain on the right side of history, a cross-party group of MPs including the former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and the Labour MP Rupa Huq, lent its support to a private members’ bill (the Armenian Genocide Recognition Bill) that sought to “right an appalling historical injustice” by recognising the Armenian Genocide. Sadly the bill, as so often happens to private members’ bills, went no further than the first reading.
The Armenian Genocide is not only a moral issue but a very pragmatic one. Despite the burdens imposed by history, Armenia has begun talks with Turkey to try to normalise bilateral relations.
But since Armenia’s ongoing negotiations with Turkey are occurring without any pre-conditions concerning the Genocide, they are likely to flounder: no rapprochement between the two sides can survive if it does not address the trauma that haunts and torments Armenians across the globe.
I support normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey and want to see a steady and sustainable relationship between the two countries, but such a relationship can only be built on the firm foundations of historic recognition and reconciliation. Temporary fixes arrived at by dodging history will not result in a lasting peace. They will merely conceal the deepening of resentments that will erupt with unmanageable force in the future. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is indispensable to peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.
From the Holocaust and the massacres in Cambodia to genocide in Rwanda, the 20th century is a collage of the darkest moments in human history. The horrors of genocide must never be lost to history. Remembrance is our best safeguard against repetition in the 21st century.
This is one of the reasons that Joe Biden last year formally recognised the Armenian Genocide and the pain inflicted on the Armenian people. “We honour their story,” he said. “We affirm the history. We do this not to cast blame but to ensure what happened is never repeated.”
Earlier this year, I stood down as Armenia’s President – not to walk away from challenges but to free myself to raise awareness of them and to work for a better future for my people both at home and across the world. As the first nation to adopt Christianity, in 301, Armenia has an abundance of cultural and artistic heritage fortified by faith in the future and a belief in the triumph of human goodness.
Our people are resilient, innovative, hardworking and creative. It is within our power to remake our country as home for a thriving global nation that is eager to contribute to the common good of all our neighbours and the World. But a just and flourishing future requires us to recognise our shared past. Britain can contribute to this healing process.
Dr Armen Sarkissian was president of Armenia between 2018 and January 2022
Well I knew about it decades ago, so not entirely sure what *recognising* means in this context. Its history, in fact it happened over a century ago and what exactly are we supposed to do about it now?
[removed]
Normally I’d agree, but we’re also low on political capital and we need Turkey as an ally against Russia…
4 comments
It’s long past time for Britain to recognise the Armenian genocide
Armen Sarkissian
Monday April 25 2022, 12.01am BST, The Times
On April 24, 1915, the Ottoman Empire embarked on one of the most appalling episodes of savagery in modern history: 1.5 million Armenians were either massacred, marched into death camps, or starved to death in a methodical campaign of terror. The origin of the word “genocide” and its recognition in international law are a legacy of that tragic period in Armenia’s history.
Yet today the lessons of the Armenian Genocide risk being lost to history through a failure of conscience. With its ever more pivotal role in the politics of the Black Sea region and of the volatile Caucasus, where Armenia has been in a weakened state since the 2020 war with Azerbaijan, Turkey persists with its denial of the dark period of the Armenian Genocide in its history. Ankara’s obstinacy has been bolstered by the decision of some countries, including the United Kingdom, to turn a politically expedient blind eye to history.
But we cannot credibly denounce the atrocities of the 21st Century if we refuse to acknowledge the crimes of the 20th Century that helped shape our world. The British government has an opportunity to right a grave wrong and set an example to the world by recognising the Armenian Genocide and establishing an annual commemoration of its anniversary, which is observed each year by the Armenian nation on April 24.
Last month, in an attempt to place Britain on the right side of history, a cross-party group of MPs including the former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and the Labour MP Rupa Huq, lent its support to a private members’ bill (the Armenian Genocide Recognition Bill) that sought to “right an appalling historical injustice” by recognising the Armenian Genocide. Sadly the bill, as so often happens to private members’ bills, went no further than the first reading.
The Armenian Genocide is not only a moral issue but a very pragmatic one. Despite the burdens imposed by history, Armenia has begun talks with Turkey to try to normalise bilateral relations.
But since Armenia’s ongoing negotiations with Turkey are occurring without any pre-conditions concerning the Genocide, they are likely to flounder: no rapprochement between the two sides can survive if it does not address the trauma that haunts and torments Armenians across the globe.
I support normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey and want to see a steady and sustainable relationship between the two countries, but such a relationship can only be built on the firm foundations of historic recognition and reconciliation. Temporary fixes arrived at by dodging history will not result in a lasting peace. They will merely conceal the deepening of resentments that will erupt with unmanageable force in the future. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is indispensable to peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.
From the Holocaust and the massacres in Cambodia to genocide in Rwanda, the 20th century is a collage of the darkest moments in human history. The horrors of genocide must never be lost to history. Remembrance is our best safeguard against repetition in the 21st century.
This is one of the reasons that Joe Biden last year formally recognised the Armenian Genocide and the pain inflicted on the Armenian people. “We honour their story,” he said. “We affirm the history. We do this not to cast blame but to ensure what happened is never repeated.”
Earlier this year, I stood down as Armenia’s President – not to walk away from challenges but to free myself to raise awareness of them and to work for a better future for my people both at home and across the world. As the first nation to adopt Christianity, in 301, Armenia has an abundance of cultural and artistic heritage fortified by faith in the future and a belief in the triumph of human goodness.
Our people are resilient, innovative, hardworking and creative. It is within our power to remake our country as home for a thriving global nation that is eager to contribute to the common good of all our neighbours and the World. But a just and flourishing future requires us to recognise our shared past. Britain can contribute to this healing process.
Dr Armen Sarkissian was president of Armenia between 2018 and January 2022
Well I knew about it decades ago, so not entirely sure what *recognising* means in this context. Its history, in fact it happened over a century ago and what exactly are we supposed to do about it now?
[removed]
Normally I’d agree, but we’re also low on political capital and we need Turkey as an ally against Russia…