Armenian president expects more countries to recognize 'genocide'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 June 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Armenian president expects more countries to recognize 'genocide', 27 June 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a43c18c.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 27, 2016
The president of Armenia says he expects more countries to recognize the 1915 massacre of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire a century ago as a "genocide."
In an interview with Reuters on June 27, Serzh Sarkisian highlighted recent remarks and actions by Pope Francis and Germany's parliament.
Earlier this month, Germany's lower house adopted a resolution declaring the killings of Christian Armenians by Ottoman forces in World War I a "genocide."
During a visit to Armenia on June 24, the pope departed from his prepared text to use the term.
"The principled position of the pope and the views expressed by the Bundestag will pave the way for new recognitions by other nations," Sarkisian told Reuters.
Turkey rejects the term genocide, saying the 1.5 million deaths cited by historians is an inflated figure and that people died on both sides as the Ottoman Empire collapsed amid World War I.
Based on reporting by Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
