US President Joe Biden, on April 25 recognized the 1915 killings of Armenians by Ottoman forces as genocide. He becomes the first President to officially recognize the Armenian genocide, joining a group of 29 other countries. Joe Biden marked a watershed moment for scores of Armenians who have spent years lobbying for the cause. This is claimed to be a historic move by the US President.
Armenia Genocide Remembrance Day
April 24th is the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day as between 1915-17 the Ottoman Empire killed over 1.5 million Armenians. This year President Joe Biden for the first time ‘genocide’ in a statement on this day. Though many governments of the world, including Turkey, deny the existence of the genocide. Turkey believes in the fact that millions of deaths as ‘casualties of war’.
During a press brief from the White House, Biden said, “The American people honor all those Armenians who perished in the genocide that began 106 years ago today.” Turkey’s foreign minister criticized the statement said that it is a clear political move. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted, “We have nothing to learn from anybody on our own past. Political opportunism is the greatest betrayal to peace and justice.”
After Biden’s statement, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan released a statement expressing gratitude to the President. On behalf of his people, he also stated that it was a ‘powerful step’ to acknowledge the “truth, historical justice”. while campaigning Joe Biden had promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide, which evidently he fulfilled.
What actually happened?
Firstly, over a million were killed during the genocide. 1.5 million Armenians lost their lives in “systematic killings”. The people were deported at the hands of the Ottoman Turks, who accused the Christians of conspiring with the Russians. during the period stretching between 1915 and 1917 hundred and thousands of Armenians were rounded up and deported to the desert of Syria.
During the journey they were shot, poisoned or fell victim to incurable diseases. Turkey, which rose from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, has admitted the death of over 300,000 Armenians but refused to acknowledge it as ‘genocide’.
Since 1965, starting with Uruguay nations including France, Germany, Canada, and Russia have claimed and recognized the genocide. US statement has been a paramount goal that proved elusive under previous presidents which was certainly done and dusted by President Biden.
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