German Bundestag to host debate on Armenian Genocide

April 2, 2015 - 18:42 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - A one-hour debate on the Armenian Genocide centennial will be held at the German Bundestag on April 24. Shortly before the centennial, there are disputes in the German Parliament over an appropriate commemoration, Public Radio of Armenia reports citing Zeit Online.

While Greens and the Left approve the term ‘genocide,’ the federal government and the coalition parties have certain reservations, apparently out of fear of conflict with Turkey.

Over the recent months politicians from all parties in the Bundestag have been discussing how they will deal with the anniversary.

Public Radio of Armenia. German Bundestag to host debate on Armenian Genocide on April 24

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.