The Process of Recognition of the Armenian Genocide in 2016…

• 01.08.2017, 17:11
•  World,  Armenia

ArmLur.am

Summing up 2016, compared to the last year, process of the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide was passive but not inefficient. In June, 2016, German Bundestag approved a resolution, recognizing the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War I as Genocide. Besides, as we know France recognized Armenian Genocide in the beginning of century. During this year French Parliament adopted the bill criminalizing the  Armenian Genocide denial through voting on October 14, which is also a pretty big step towards the international recognition  of the Armenian Genocide.

It should be mentioned, that during 2016, Armenian Genocide has been recognized exclusively at the level of local authorities. From this  perspective this year the states and the cities of Spain and Italy were quite active. So, in 2016, Armenian Genocide was officially recognized by Spanish cities Malaga, Marbella, Benalmadena, Alicante, Paiporta, Merida, Carcagente,  Alacuas, Elda, Puente Genill, La Roda de Andalucía  and by the State Councils of  Italian region of Basilicata and Sicilia, as well as  by Canoza and Civita Castellana.

It should be noted, that as during the previous years, this year also all over the world ld Armenian Genocide Commemoration events were held - in Copenhagen, in Siria, in  Argentina, in Netherlands, in Austria, in Belgium, in Greece, in Belarus, in Bulgaria, in Canada, in Chernogoria, in China, in Chorvatia, in Albania, in France, in Georgia, in Germany, in Iran, in Iraq, in Kazakhstan, in Lebanon, in Lithuania, in Latvia, in Mexiko, in Russia, in Poland, in United Arab Emirates, in Romania, in Spain, in Swedia, in Switzerland and in US Congress.

Armenian cross stones, that commemorate Armenian Genocide, have been opened in German Jena, in French Aix-en-Provence, in Canadian Sant Catering and in Polish Polan. Besides, a Conference commemorated to Armenian Genocide was held in Austrian Amshtetten city. In Yerevan "Against the crime of genocide” second Global forum took place.

This year for the first time "Aurora" humanitarian prize ceremony took place. Margaret Barankitsein, who is the founder of “House of Peace” (Maison Shalom) care home and “REMA”  hospital in Burundi, received the "Aurora" first prize on behalf of survivors of the Armenian Genocide, in gratitude for their saviors. During the years of Civil War, she saved thousands of lives and cared for orphans and refugees.

It should also be mentioned that according to many experts, after the  Armenian Genocide 100th anniversary, the Genocide international  recognition process  will gradually fall. Nevetheless, there is a need to stress, that the comparative passivity, first of all, is conditioned by the changes that took place in  foreign political agenda of Armenia as a result of Azerbaijani aggression against the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in April.