24th April ā remembrance of the Armenian GenocideĀ
āDeportation of and excesses against peaceful Armenians is increasing and from harrowing reports of eye witnesses it appears that a campaign of race extermination is in progress under a pretext of reprisal against rebellion.ā - AMBASSADOR MORGENTHAU, Constantinople, 16 July 1915Ā
Although the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23 has itās beginnings further back in history, the 24th April is used as the marker and the day of remembrance. In 1915, under the rule of the Three Pashas (Talaat, Cemal and Enver Pasha), the Ottoman state began its systematic extermination of its Armenian population ā the deportations of thousands, many of whom would die on these death marches before ever reaching designated areas, to outright massacres and other atrocities. Estimates put it to around 1.5 million deaths. The actions taken against the Armenians would later lead to the Greek and Assyrian genocides.
āTheir existence must come to an end, however tragic the means may be; and no regard must be paid to either age or sex, or to conscientious scruples.ā - TALAAT, 16 September 1915Ā
Today, Turkey (and other states) do not recognise the Armenian genocide and denialism still prevalent around the world. Denialism is spread through not just academic revisionist theories but also with the media (films/TV/social media) which depict the events as ambiguous of the intent or underplayed entirely (e.g. The Ottoman Lieutenant). Despite this, steps have been made in recent years for recognition and more states have begun to openly accept the term of genocide, including most recently the US (2019).
Images used: wiki +Ā The Armenian Genocide Museum-institute (please be aware there is some extremely explicit content)
