Experts Urge Opening Archives and Initiating Discussion on Armenian Genocide

As the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approaches, experts are calling for the opening of archives and the initiation of discussions to depoliticize the events of April 24, 1915. The systematic extermination of over 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Turks remains a contentious issue between Armenia and Turkey, with the latter objecting to the characterization of the incidents as genocide.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan marked the World War I deaths of Armenians living in the Ottoman territories, expressing condolences to their descendants and emphasizing the need to address history "under the guidance of wisdom, conscience and science." The Turkish government has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia, along with international experts, to research the issue.

However, the denial of the Armenian Genocide by countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan has contributed to a level of indifference from the international community, allowing autocrats to act without fear of consequences. Recent actions by Azerbaijan, such as the illegal and unprovoked war against ethnic Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh and the blockade of the only road linking Armenians in the region to the outside world, are seen by Armenian Americans as a continuation of the Armenian Genocide and a threat to their existence.

Why this matters: The recognition and acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide remain essential for preventing further violence and hatred against the Armenian people. The opening of archives and the depoliticization of the events of 1915 are necessary steps towards fostering understanding and reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey.

On the anniversary of the 1915 events, Armenian protesters marched in front of the Turkish Embassy and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Washington, D.C., carrying banners and chanting slogans against Türkiye and Azerbaijan. The Turkish community, joined by Azerbaijani and Ahiska Turks, staged a counter-protest, emphasizing that the events of 1915 are a political issue and not a genocide, as declared by the US Supreme Court and the UN.

The release of a new book, "The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Archives on the Armenian Question and the Genocide: Annotated Detailed Summary of Documents, Vol. I," provides a detailed list and description of 634 documents from the Patriarchate's archives, seen as essential for investigating the Armenian Question and Genocide. The book is endorsed by Yerevan State University, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

While the historical trauma of the genocide is acknowledged, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for the country to focus on building a "competitive and legitimate" nation in the present day, rather than being haunted by the past. The Turkish government has emphasized the need to move forward with realities on the ground and create a new road map based on reality, rather than "fabrications and tales."

Key Takeaways

• Experts call for opening archives, depoliticizing 1915 Armenian Genocide.
• Turkey proposes joint commission to research the issue, but denies genocide.
• Denial by Turkey, Azerbaijan contributes to indifference, allows autocrats to act.
• Recognition of genocide essential to prevent further violence against Armenians.
• New book details 634 documents from Armenian Patriarchate archives on genocide.