2015 is finished. One is tempted to say at last, even though this year marked the centenary of the genocide will undoubtedly enabled the struggle to achieve recognition of its significant advances, particularly in terms of international public opinion. Undoubtedly, with this sad anniversary, the 1915 tragedy emerged from the shadows. In France in particular, with its assumption by the Republic.
Francois Hollande in Yerevan on April 24 with the government of Armenia, or to Manuel Valls Anne Hidalgo alongside the CFC in the capital, are the highest authorities of the country paying tribute to the victims. A far cry from the days when state officials on the Armenian genocide practiced the policy of the ostrich, to please Ankara. From this point of view at least, a huge step has been taken.
Moreover, the statement of the Pope, that of German President Joachim Gauck, who referred to the responsibility of his nation, an ally of Turkey, various recognition of the genocide in Latin America or in the European continent, which must be added the tens of countries represented at the commemoration in Armenia have given this event an international dimension worthy of his major role in the terrifying story of the mass crimes committed during the last century. This is not politically indifferent, after decades of conspiracy of silence.
Was the episode of the ECHR marked by the impression of tolerance denial that gave a deleterious judgment delivered on behalf of the sacrosanct defense of freedom of expression in 2015 has brought to the Armenian cause this she was in a position reasonably to expect, given the balance of power and the level of international standards of human rights. And it is not to Turkey where things have evolved further, including in the media coverage, the biggest taboo of the country.
Although the balance sheet of 2015 thus appears as “generally positive”, the end of this year symbol does not leave any regrets. And, since it should allow us to finally get out of this “all Memorial”, which must to be in such circumstances will nonetheless, in the long, somewhat stuffy.
The struggle for recognition of the genocide is of course always a priority for the Armenian world, in terms of justice, moral reparation, but also security implications for Armenia. As we know, the State denial in Turkey stems from a propensity for recurrence. But except to become a formidable factor of alienation, this fight can not replace the other challenges facing the Armenians.
At their numbers include the issue of Nagorno Karabakh, the economic development of Armenia, and the challenge of democracy which is in following a secular movement for emancipation. So many issues that are in a logic of life, especially against the totalitarianism in its pan-Turkish version, has led to irreversible damage is known, and whose surviving generations still suffer the consequences.
May 2016 bring the best response that is genocide: that of a living people and welded around a strong Armenia, finally free of all mortgages that continue to weigh on his fate. A huge challenge not only relate to external threats, but also takes us, perhaps mainly, to ourselves, to our collective will and our ability to give it body democratically wherever we exist yet .
May this new year bring also internal security to France with full force struck by the jihadist madness and give it the means to defend its values, the values of the Republic, we share naturally. This issue concerns us primarily, not only because we are French full and proud of it, but also because current events in the country inevitably found in Armenian DNA particular resonance, the fight against barbarism nondividing.
Ara Toranian