The German Bundestag’s recently adopted resolution, acknowledging the Ottoman-era killings of Armenians as genocide, essentially broadens the worldwide campaign towards Genocide recognition, according to an expert.
Commenting on the resolution’s wording at a news conference today, Vladimir Hakobyan, who specializes in international law, highlighted particularly the legal aspect of the decision.
“The recognition of a crime and its appropriate labeling are extremely important,” he said, meantime ruling out possible legal consequences for Turkey.
Ruben Melkonyan, a deputy dean at the Yerevan State University’s Department of Oriental Studies, highlighted the complicity factor, noting that Germany, as a major European state, is known also for its multi-vector cooperation with Turkey.
“Unfortunately, they run counter also to the Armenian interests. It is important to remember that Germany gave home to Talaat, Enver and Cemal Pashas; hence the euphoria we see in Armenia is absolutely pointless,” he added.
Questioning the possibility of legal consequences, Melkonyan also called attention to the decision’s timing.
“What we need to consider further is why they recognized [the Genocide] especially now. With the German-Turkish relations being considerably entangled today, Europe really needs certain restraint mechanisms,” he added.
Melkonyan noted that the 11 Turkish parliament members, who backed the resolution, now face persecution by the Turkish authorities.
But he agreed that the fact is of cornerstone importance in the context of the international recognition campaign.
“What’s more important for me is the step which is to come next. Hence it is now time to bring them to light as evidence of a true happening and a tool to further reinforce the factual bases of the Armenian Genocide,” Melkonyan added.
