Genocide must be acknowledged

This year marks the centenary of the Armenian genocide that cost the lives of up to a million people. What makes this genocide so important is that because it was so “successful” from an Ottoman Turk point of view, it became a blueprint for genocide.

Infamously, Adolf Hitler is reported to have said: “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?”

Acknowledgement that the atrocities committed against the Armenian people between 1915 and 1922 amounted to genocide is vital to ensure justice and accountability for the Armenian people, and to strengthen global jurisprudence towards preventing further genocide. Some countries, including France, Russia, US Congress and the European Parliament have already recognised the Armenian genocide but many others, including Ireland and the UK, have yet to do so.

The Turkish government must be pressurised into accepting that its predecessors perpetrated genocide. Turkey wants to join the EU, and Europe needs Turkey as a positive bridge towards the Middle East. The EU should make it clear that recognition of the Armenian genocide must be a prerequisite for EU membership.

Dr Edward Horgan,

Newtown, Castletroy, Co Limerick