Why has the Armenian genocide not been recognized by the international community in the way that other genocides have? Responses The Armenian genocide has not been recognized by Turkey, so other countries refuse to accept it. The Armenian genocide has not been recognized by Turkey, so other countries refuse to accept it. - no response given International debate regarding the Armenian genocide casts doubt on whether it was technically a genocide. International debate regarding the Armenian genocide casts doubt on whether it was technically a genocide. - no response given The Turkish government supports communist governments, and other nations do not want to damage those relationships. The Turkish government supports communist governments, and other nations do not want to damage those relationships. - no response given Countries have not recognized the Armenian genocide for fear of hurting strategic relationships with the Turkish government.

1 answer

The lack of widespread recognition of the Armenian Genocide is influenced by several factors, primarily tied to geopolitical considerations and historical context:

  1. Geopolitical Relationships: Turkey is a significant geopolitical ally for many countries, particularly in NATO and the Middle East. Nations may hesitate to acknowledge the genocide for fear of disrupting diplomatic relations, trade agreements, or military alliances.

  2. Turkish Denial: Turkey has consistently denied that the events of 1915-1923 constituted genocide. The Turkish government has actively lobbied against recognition, leading some countries to avoid the issue to maintain good relations with Turkey.

  3. International Debate on Definition: There is ongoing debate about whether the systematic killing and deportation of Armenians meets the legal definition of genocide as outlined in the UN Genocide Convention. This debate can lead to hesitancy among countries to formally recognize the genocide.

  4. Domestic Politics: In some countries, recognition of the Armenian Genocide can be a contentious political issue, influencing the stances of politicians and parties. Lawmakers may weigh the potential domestic political fallout against the recognition of historical events.

  5. Historical Narrative: The legacy of World War I and the narratives propagated during and after the war can complicate the recognition of events like the Armenian Genocide. Different interpretations of history can lead to disagreements on the labeling of events as genocidal or not.

Overall, the combination of geopolitical interests, international relations, and the complexities of historical narratives contributes to the reluctance of some countries to fully recognize the Armenian Genocide.