The content of the genocide resolution determined

The details of the genocide resolution that will be discussed in Bundestag on June 2 are started to be revealed. According to DW Turkish's report, in the resolution, it is stated that the Armenian Genocide “is an example of the history of ethnic cleansing, massacres and genocides in 20th century.” Approved by the parliamentary groups of coalition partners and the Green Party, the resolution is titled as “Remembrance and Commemoration of the Genocide against Armenians and other Christian minorities in 1915-1916 in Ottoman Empire”. The German Reich is also accused of being an accomplice to the genocide. 

The resolution, which is prepared by Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) led by Merkel, coalition party Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the opposition party Green Party, will be voted by the general assembly on June 2.

While the term “genocide” is used in the resolution for the first time, the role of German Reich is also pointed out. Moreover, the resolution urges the German government to encourage the efforts for normalizing the relations between Turkey and Armenia. 

In the introductory part of the resolution, it is stated that Bundestag bows respectfully before the memory of the victims of deportation and massacres. It is also noted that, during that period, other Christian communities, especially Assyrian, Syriac and Chaldean people, were also affected by the massacres. 

Germany's role is inglorious

In the resolution, the role of German Reich, which was a military ally of Ottoman Empire at that time, is characterized as inglorious and it is emphasized that Bundestag regrets it. “The German Bundestag regrets the inglorious role of the German Reich, which, despite unequivocal information, including from German diplomats and missionaries, about the organized expulsion and extermination of the Armenians, did not attempt to stop these crimes against humanity.” The resolution also demands the genocide is included to the school curricula. 

While it is emphasized that a distinction should be made between the responsibility of the perpetrators and the responsibility of the current generations, the remembrance of the past is pointed out as a way for fighting against the hateful and annihilating mentality that continues to harm us today.  With this resolution, not only the victims are commemorated, but also the ones who resisted the massacres and helped to save Armenians are remembered with respect. 

For the reconciliation of two peoples

The resolution also urges the German government to support the attempts for improving the dialog between Armenians and Turks, confronting the past, acknowledging the historical responsibility and forgiving the crime.

In the resolution, it is also noted that the efforts concerning the Armenian Genocide and reconciliation with the Armenians is increased in the circles of civil society, science, art and culture in Turkey: “Bundestag receives such attempts positively. Confronting the past frankly is the ground of the reconciliation. The reconciliation of the two peoples would be possible, only if what happened 100 years ago is completely revealed and acknowledged.”