On April 24, the Bulgarian Parliament passed a resolution acknowledging the mass extermination of Armenians that occurred in the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1922. The vote passed with 157 votes in favor and 36 against, and the date was designated a Victims Remembrance Day. The resolution stated that the extermination is substantiated by undeniable historical facts and authentic documents.
It emphasized that Bulgaria distinguishes between the historical legacy of the Ottoman Empire and the legacy of the Republic of Turkey, while welcoming dialogue between Turkey and Armenia concerning historical truth. The legislative process involved specific debates over terminology, with some members advocating for “mass extermination” rather than “genocide.” Opponents of the resolution objected to certain revisions, arguing that the changes diminished the right of the Armenian community to pursue their interests legally. Historically, the conflict centers on the systematic killing of an estimated one and a half million Armenians.
While Armenia defines the event as a genocide, Turkish authorities maintain that the violence was not deliberate, citing deaths due to sporadic armed groups and starvation. This recognition of the Armenian genocide has been adopted by numerous countries and international bodies. The passage of the resolution marks a significant political statement regarding the historical treatment of the Armenians by the Ottoman regime.
Following the vote, Parliament observed a minute of silence in commemoration of the victims, while representatives from the Turkish Embassy observed the proceedings.
Topics: #ottoman #armenians #genocide
