World's reaction to Armenian Genocide Memorial day

Written by John Do, Grade 11 & Scott Miles, Grade 11

Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued the following statement,

“Today, we join Armenian communities in Canada and around the world to honour the memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide, a dark chapter in human history which must never be forgotten.

“Although more than a century has since passed, the memory of those who unjustly lost their lives and suffered reminds us that we must never respond to hatred or violence with indifference.

“As we observe this solemn day and pay tribute to the strength and spirit of the Armenian people, we also look forward to a future built on peace and mutual respect.

“The Government of Canada pays tribute to the victims of this tragedy and reaffirms its commitment to strive for a world in which nobody – regardless of faith or ethnic background – fears discrimination or persecution because of who they are.”

France

France held its first ‘national day of commemoration of the Armenian genocide,’ provoking an angry reaction from Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

France, which is home to an estimated 500,000 ethnic Armenians, was one of the first major European countries to recognize the massacres as genocide, officially stating that the mass slaughter and deportation of up to 1.5 million Armenians as genocide in 2001. At least 22 other countries, including Germany, have taken a similar step. France's president, Emmanuel Macron announced the national day of remembrance in February this year, saying that his country “knows how to look history in the face.”

US

None of the modern US presidents acknowledged the Armenian Genocide as a genocide, even though one of President Obama’s campaign pledges were acknowledging the Armenian genocide, after he got elected, he decided not to call the incident genocide. People suspect that he was pressured to keep a good relationship with Turkey, trying not to provoke them by calling the incident genocide.

Nonetheless, many Americans were on the street to commemorate the memorial day on April 24th. Many marching for awareness in various cities and states, the most prominent ones happening in New York, Time Square, and Los Angeles.