Bulgaria’s Parliament passed a resolution recognizing the mass extermination of Armenians that occurred in the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1922. The vote passed with 157 in favor and 36 against, and the resolution declared April 24 a Victims Remembrance Day. The text asserts that the atrocities are substantiated by undeniable historical facts and authentic documents.
The resolution notes that in drawing a distinction between the historical legacy of the Ottoman Empire and that of the Republic of Turkey, Bulgaria welcomes dialogue between the two nations regarding the historical truth. Historically, the events concern the systematic killing of an estimated one and a half million Armenians by Ottoman officials. These actions occurred amid tensions during World War One, with Ottoman authorities citing fears of Armenian collaboration with Russia.
The recognition of this genocide has been affirmed by several countries and international bodies, including the European Parliament. Conversely, Turkish authorities deny the characterization of genocide, stating that deaths were not deliberately sought and attributing lower figures to sporadic conflict and starvation. The passage of the resolution generated political discussion.
While some lawmakers emphasized the historical weight of the event, others criticized the resolution for omitting references to UN conventions regarding genocide. The debate highlighted the ongoing international dispute regarding the nature and scale of the violence against the Armenians during that period in the Ottoman Empire.
Topics: #ottoman #armenians #genocide
