Washington, DC., 24 April 2025 ——
On April 24th, Armenians around the world gather to commemorate one of the darkest chapters in their history – the Armenian Genocide. It is widely considered the first genocide of the 20th century. Beginning in 1915 and continuing through 1923, in the final years of the Ottoman Empire, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were systematically exterminated through mass killings, forced marches, and starvation. However, despite overwhelming historical evidence, the genocide remains a deeply sensitive point of contention globally, with recognition becoming not only a historical issue but a politically charged one, particularly between Armenia and Türkiye, and a moral one as well.
A Tragic History
At the time of the genocide, Armenians, a Christian minority, had lived for centuries in the eastern provinces of the Muslim majority Ottoman Empire. Although Armenians had contributed significantly to Ottoman culture and economy, they were often treated as second-class citizens and subjected to discriminatory laws.
As the empire began to crumble during World War I, nationalist tensions increased, and the Ottoman government viewed Armenians as a threat to national security. The Ottoman leadership, especially the Young Turks, a revolutionary group that seized power in 1908, viewed Armenians with growing suspicion, fearing they might side with Russia, the empire’s enemy during the war.
On April 24, 1915, the Ottoman government arrested and executed hundreds of Armenian intellectuals and leaders in Constantinople (now Istanbul), marking the beginning of a campaign of extermination. This date is commemorated as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
Over the next several years, the Ottoman authorities began mass forced deportations in which Armenians were driven from their homes. Under the guise of “relocation” for national security, Armenian men were often executed outright, while women, children, and the elderly were forced on death marches through the Syrian desert without food, water, or shelter. Many perished from widespread starvation, dehydration, disease, or mass killings along the way. Many women were raped or abducted, and countless children were orphaned. While some survived, often by converting to Islam or hiding with sympathetic neighbors, the community as a whole was decimated.
Denial and Recognition
Although historians and scholars overwhelmingly agree on the nature and scope of the atrocities, recognition of the Armenian Genocide has long been obstructed by political considerations. The Republic of Türkiye, which succeeded the Ottoman Empire, has long rejected the term “genocide,” arguing that the deaths were part of the broader chaos of World War I and not a deliberate campaign of extermination. This denial has influenced global politics, particularly among countries with strategic ties to Türkiye, and organizations that have recognized the genocide.
However, momentum toward recognition has grown over the years. As of 2025, more than thirty countries, including France, Germany, Canada, and most recently the United States, have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. In 2019, both chambers of the US Congress passed resolutions acknowledging the genocide, and in 2021, US President Joe Biden became the first American president to formally use the word “genocide” in a statement of remembrance.
Legacy and Impact
The Armenian Genocide not only led to the near-destruction of the Armenian population in their historic homeland but also created a vast Armenian diaspora around the world. Survivors and their descendants have played a major role in keeping the memory of the genocide alive through literature, education, and advocacy. The genocide also had a profound influence on the development of international law. Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin, who coined the term “genocide” in 1944, cited the Armenian Genocide as a key example that shaped his thinking.
Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is more than an act of historical accuracy; it is a moral imperative. Acknowledging the truth honors the victims and survivors and sends a powerful message about humanity’s commitment to justice. It also helps prevent future atrocities by affirming that denial and impunity are unacceptable.
For many descendants of survivors, recognition is also deeply personal. It validates the suffering of their ancestors and serves as a foundation for healing and justice. Without recognition, the trauma is perpetuated across generations, and the global community risks allowing history to repeat itself.
The Armenian Genocide is not just a tragedy of the past; it is a test of the present. Understanding what happened is essential not only for honoring the victims but also for preventing future genocides. As the world grapples with ongoing conflicts and mass atrocities, the continued global effort to recognize and remember the Armenian Genocide is a powerful reminder that acknowledging past atrocities is a critical step toward truth, justice, and reconciliation.
Photo Credit: “The Eternal Flame” – Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan by Serouj Ourishian. Licensed under CC BY SA 3.0
Lara Kajs is the founder and executive director of The Genocide Report, an NGO nonprofit organization in Washington, DC. She is the author of Assad’s Syria, and Stories from Yemen: A Diary from the Field, available in e-books, paperback, and hardcover at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, and independent booksellers worldwide. Distributed by Ingram Publishing. Ms. Kajs frequently speaks about atrocity crimes, forced displacement, state terrorism, and International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Follow and connect with Lara Kajs on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.