Will Congress Recognize the Armenian Genocide?

by Michael Jones · 2010-02-09 14:56:00 UTC
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ArmeniaExperts consider the Armenian genocide to be one of the first in modern times, setting in place the template for today's understanding of the word. At least 20 countries around the world have recognized the atrocities committed against the Armenian population by the Turkish government -- which took place during and immediately following World War I -- as genocide. Even 43 states within the U.S. have passed resolutions recognizing the massacres as genocide.

But so far, the U.S. government has not. It may get a chance to do so this year, as a Congressional panel prepares to take a vote as early as next month on a resolution that will label the atrocities as genocide.

That has Turkey, which has consistently denied that a genocide took place, up in arms. Their foreign minister said that if the U.S. moves forward with a genocide recognition bill in Congress, it could seriously jeopardize U.S.-Turkish relations.

Threats like that are par for the course with Turkey. In recent years the country has pulled Ambassadors out of countries that move to recognize the Armenian genocide, and threatened to cut off military support to countries that recognize the genocide. Yikes. If there was ever a case of Shakespeare's "Thou doth protest too much," Turkey is it.

Meanwhile, the Coalition to Recognize the Armenian Genocide is stepping up its game to work with Congress. Here on Change.org they've launched a petition that has gathered more than 3,000 signatures -- emails sent directly to U.S. Congress members -- urging the U.S. government to recognize the Armenian genocide. It's something Barack Obama pledged to do while a candidate, and something that activists are holding him to as President.

The move would also have significance because of its timing. This year marks the 95th anniversary of the genocide; that's timing that is not lost on organizers. As the group says in their petition, no country that values human rights should hide from recognizing genocide.

"America’s refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide is an untenable policy for a nation that professes its commitment to human rights," the organization's letter to Congress states. "As we confront the specter of genocide and its denial in the 21st century, [the U.S.] government has a duty to ensure that the lessons of the past are not forgotten."

Agree? You can sign their petition to Congress here.

Photo credit: karaian

Michael Jones
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