Pashinyan's statement on “rethinking” the Armenian Genocide drew sharp criticism from the ARFD

The ARF Dashnaktsutyun condemned Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's recent remarks on the need to “rethink” the Armenian Genocide, calling them an undermining of national values and a concession to Ankara's demands.

Earlier, Pashinyan, during a meeting with representatives of the Swiss community, emphasized the importance of “analyzing the events” that led to the Armenian Genocide [in the Ottoman Empire]. According to him, it is necessary to understand “what happened, why it happened,” how it was perceived, as well as why the issue of the Genocide was not on the agenda in 1939 but began to be discussed as early as 1950.

The party noted in connection with these that such statements insult the memory of the one and a half million victims of 1915, canonized by the Armenian Apostolic Church, and level the efforts of several generations of Armenians to recognize and condemn the genocide in the international arena.

“These words show disrespect to the more than 40 countries that have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide, as well as to the states that have criminalized its denial,” the statement reads.

According to the ARF, such statements not only undermine the legacy of the collective struggle - scholars, politicians and public figures - for international recognition of the genocide, but also hinder the condemnation of such crimes in the future. Moreover, they run counter to Armenia's Declaration of Independence, which explicitly states the requirement for international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

“Condemnation of the genocide and elimination of its consequences is the basis for preventing similar crimes in the future. Rejection of these demands will not reduce security threats or change hostile ambitions towards Armenia,” the party said.

The ARF also called on the Armenian Diaspora to unite in response to this “national security challenge” aimed, in their opinion, at weakening Armenian statehood and ignoring the interests of Armenians around the world.

Earlier, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in parliament that international recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not a foreign policy priority for the country.

The Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire, recognized as the first genocide of the 20th century, is commemorated annually on April 24. During the tragedy, according to historians, more than 1.5 million people died. Turkey, however, traditionally rejects accusations of mass extermination of Armenians.

The fact of the Armenian Genocide has been recognized by many states and international organizations. The first country to do so in 1965 was Uruguay. Later, the genocide was recognized by Cyprus, Russia, France, Germany, Argentina, the United States, the European Parliament and many others.

reprinted from https://am.sputniknews.ru/