ETHNIC CLEANSING BY THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
On 24 April 1915, the Ottoman Empire began the systematic ethnic cleansing of Armenian people. The background to the massacres lay in increasing racial, religious, and cultural clashes between both communities under Ottoman rule. It was also apparent that Armenian communities were becoming increasingly successful under Ottoman rule and became wealthier intellectuals. This posed a threat to their Turkish counterparts, and resentment grew towards thriving Armenian communities. This resulted in a nationalist group called The Young Turks, who wanted to kill Armenians and desired Turkification, a nationalist approach to empire. Many Armenian intellectuals were the first ones to be lined up and killed by The Young Turks. Armenians were forced to go on death marches and were stripped of their humanity. Overall, the genocide resulted in the mass killing, rape, and torture of Armenians. It is estimated that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.
INTERNATIONAL ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL
The Turkish government repeatedly denies the genocide took place, which is a painful experience for Armenian communities. One of the reasons why Turkey continues to deny the Armenian Genocide took place are the potential repercussions and reparations if acknowledged. Evidence states that Turkey continues to re-frame history by blaming and dehumanizing Armenians. In Turkey, it is illegal to mention the Armenian Genocide and children are socialised from a young age into a supposed nationalist view. Many historians who have carried out research and claim what happened to Armenians was a “genocide,” has further fuelled anger in Turkey. Researchers and journalists who have openly spoken about the Armenian genocide in Turkey have been prosecuted, received death threats, and viewed as enemies by the Turkish government. This highlights the danger in openly speaking out on the genocide in Turkey, as it is a challenging subject that may have a detrimental impact on one’s life. The Turkish denial has a damaging impact on Armenian people by making them live in a world where their suffering is overlooked by those who committed the genocide.
INTERNATIONAL ANGLE
In 2006, a number of British MP’S gave their signatures in support of recognising the suffering of Armenians as a possible “genocide”. Despite this hopeful step in restoring faith in Armenian communities, this has not lead to the UK officially recognising the Armenian Genocide. The silence from countries such as the UK highlights a possible inability to admit the harsh truth, perhaps due to the backlash that the UK would receive from the Turkish government who continue to deny that the genocide in 1915 ever took place.
There is a fear by many countries in using the word ‘”genocide” to describe what happened to Armenians, as it can be perceived as problematic, further causing wider tensions and strain on their relations with Turkey. Evidence suggests that recognising the Armenian Genocide will negatively impact good relations with Turkey. In Italy, the government recognised the Armenian Genocide, further causing anger and frustration in Turkey. Likewise, there are people in Beirut who support Armenians, which has negatively impacted relations with Turkey. Likewise France recognises the Armenian Genocide and the French president, Macron, supports Armenian communities, which has led to a struggling relationship with Turkey. These examples suggest that once a country supports or recognises the suffering of Armenians as a genocide, Turkey become more frustrated. This therefore highlights the risk in recognising Armenian genocide for foreign nations.
The US and UK military forces are supplied from Turkey, making it harder for the UK and US to declare recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as it may result in harsh consequences. Evidence from the British Foreign Office claims that “given the importance of our relationships (political, strategic, commercial) with Turkey and that recognising the genocide would provide no practical benefit to the UK”. Likewise, there is pressure on the US to overlook the Armenian Genocide due to their ‘’strategic alliance’’ with Turkey. Some American government representatives have been voting to recognise the Armenian Genocide; however nothing has changed and this caused anger from Erdogan, president of Turkey. This outlines the difficult pressure that lies on powerful countries like the UK and US, as they are eager to have positive relations with Turkey.
THE IMPACT ON ARMENIAN DIASPORA
The date 24 April is significant for Armenian communities, as it is a day of solidarity and remembrance of the massacres that started on this day in 1915. Many Armenians protest on this day every year, to receive recognition of the Armenian genocide. 24 April marks Commemoration Day for the Armenian Genocide, highlighting an important day for Armenian communities to come together and remember all of those who suffered. The protests and walks have been referred to “The March for Justice,’’ where Armenians are eager for their voices to be heard and recognised as important. Despite the few countries that understand the oppression Armenians have been through, there is still an unsettling pathway for the future towards recognition.
The famous Kardashians, who have Armenian ancestry, have used their voices and platforms to spread awareness on the Armenian Genocide and continue to fight for recognition. It is admirable that the Kardashians have been using their power as celebrities in a positive manner by shining a spotlight on issues impacting Armenian communities. In 2015, on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Kardashians visited the Armenian memorial called Tsitsernakaberd to pay their respects. They posted on social media to further educate people on the Armenian Genocide and the fight for genocide recognition. Likewise, Armenian celebrity Cher continues to act as a voice for the Armenian community and speaks out against injustice faced by Armenians. The persistence of Armenian communities for genocide recognition is strong and the protests are a way of ensuring that Armenian voices are not silenced.
HOPE AND RESILIENCE
Although Armenians are battling everyday trauma and feelings of disappointment, there are elements of strength and resilience within Armenian communities. There is an element of hope that one day Armenian voices may be viewed as significant. Genocide recognition is important for Armenian communities, as it enables them to feel respected and acknowledged in a world that too often may silence voices of Armenian diaspora. Despite the lack of recognition for the Armenian Genocide, Armenians will continue to share their stories and educate the rest of the world about their heritage, roots, and culture.
As the Armenian novelist William Saroyan’s famous speech highlights:
I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race: this small tribe of unimportant people whose history is ended, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, whose literature is unread, whose music is unheard, whose prayers are no longer uttered. Go ahead, destroy this race. Let us say that it is again 1915, there is war in the world. Destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them from their homes into the desert. Let them have neither bread nor water. Burn their houses and their churches. See if they will not live again. See if they will not laugh again. See if you can stop them from mocking the big ideas of the world. ... Go ahead, try to destroy them. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a new Armenia.
Katie Bedrossian is a recent Sociology graduate from Coventry University. She is passionate about her Armenian heritage and is eager to act as a leader for underrepresented communities. Her specific interests include tackling injustice on gender, race, culture, and immigration. Katie is eager to pursue a career in social change where she believes her ideas can have a positive impact on society.