The Bulgarian Parliament passed a resolution recognizing the mass extermination of Armenians within the Ottoman Empire during the 1915-1922 period. The vote passed with 157 in favor and 36 against, and the resolution designated April 24 as a Victims Remembrance Day. The resolution asserts that the extermination of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire is substantiated by undeniable historical facts and authentic documents.
Furthermore, it stipulated that Bulgaria draws a distinction between the historical legacy of the Ottoman Empire and that of the Republic of Turkey, while welcoming dialogue between the two nations concerning the historical truth. The historical context involves the systematic actions against the Armenian population, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated million and a half people. While the resolution used the phrase “mass extermination,” the term “genocide” is central to the international discourse surrounding the events.
The article noted differing international perspectives on the issue. Yerevan defines the events as genocide, while Turkish authorities maintain that deaths were not deliberately sought and that the death toll was significantly lower. Numerous countries, including France, Germany, and recently the European Parliament, have recognized the Armenian genocide.
During the parliamentary session, debates highlighted procedural changes, such as the replacement of the word “genocide” with “mass extermination” in the draft resolution. Despite the passing of the resolution, objections were raised regarding the inclusion or exclusion of references to international conventions, emphasizing the complex political sensitivities surrounding the historical memory of the Armenians and the Ottoman Empire.
Topics: #ottoman #armenians #genocide
