The Bulgarian Parliament recently passed a resolution acknowledging the mass extermination of Armenians within the Ottoman Empire spanning the period of 1915 to 1922. The vote passed with 157 in favor and 36 against. The resolution asserts that the extermination is substantiated by undeniable historical facts and authentic documents, and it officially designates April 24th as a Victims Remembrance Day.
The resolution carefully distinguishes between the historical legacy of the Ottoman Empire and that of the Republic of Turkey, while also welcoming a dialogue between Turkey and Armenia aimed at establishing a commitment to historical truth. The debate highlighted differing interpretations of the events. While Armenia defines the systematic killing of over 1.5 million Armenians by Turkish forces during this period as genocide, Turkish authorities maintain that the killings were not deliberate and estimate the deaths at a lower number.
Internationally, the Armenian genocide has been recognized by numerous nations and bodies. During the session, representatives noted the political nuances of the resolution, particularly the substitution of the term “genocide” with “mass extermination.” Prime Minister Boyko Borissov emphasized that the Bulgarian declaration pertains specifically to the Ottoman era. Amid the proceedings, some members expressed concerns regarding the perceived influence of external pressures on Bulgaria’s sovereign decisions concerning the historical record of the Armenians.
Topics: #ottoman #armenians #genocide
