The Bulgarian Parliament passed a resolution on April 24, 2015, recognizing the mass extermination of Armenians that occurred within the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1922. The vote passed with 157 votes in favor and 36 against, and the day was declared a Victims Remembrance Day. The resolution stated that the extermination is supported by authentic documents and historical facts.
It further noted that Bulgaria distinguishes the historical legacy of the Ottoman Empire from that of the Republic of Turkey, calling for a dialogue between the two nations regarding the historical truth. Historically, the systematic killing targeted the Armenian population, which was severely impacted during this period. Ottoman officials, concerned about potential alliances with Russia during World War One, orchestrated the deportation and execution of an estimated one and a half million Armenians.
The legislative debate highlighted differing interpretations of the events. While the resolution used the term “mass extermination,” the context remains tied to the recognition of the Armenian genocide. Turkish authorities maintain that the killings were not deliberate, citing lower casualty estimates resulting from sporadic armed groups and starvation.
The passage of the resolution occurred against a backdrop of public awareness, as an opinion poll indicated that a minority of Bulgarians were aware of the historical tragedy. Despite this, the debate underscored the ongoing international discussion regarding the atrocities committed against the Armenians by the Ottoman regime.
Topics: #ottoman #armenians #genocide
