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Turkey’s response to the Armenian genocide has been characterized by denial and attempts to cover up the event. This response can be attributed to a combination of factors, including national identity, sensitive historical narratives, and geopolitical concerns.
Firstly, Turkey's denial of the Armenian genocide can be linked to its national identity and the desire to maintain a positive image of the Ottoman Empire, which was the predecessor of modern Turkey. Acknowledging the genocide would challenge the national narrative of unity and glorify the empire's dark history. Protecting national pride and preventing damage to the nation's identity have been key motivations for the cover-up.
Secondly, Turkey has aimed to preserve its own historical narrative surrounding the events of World War I. The Armenian genocide occurred during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and coincided with the empire's alliance with Germany against the Allied Powers. Turkey has sought to present the genocide as a result of wartime conflict rather than a deliberate act of extermination. By minimizing the genocide's scope, Turkey attempts to portray itself as a victim of the war rather than a perpetrator of mass atrocities.
Additionally, Turkey has been concerned with the potential political and legal consequences of acknowledging the genocide. This includes the possibility of reparations to the Armenian community and recognizing the event as a genocide under international law. In an effort to avoid these repercussions and protect its interests, Turkey has actively worked to deny the truth about the Armenian genocide.
Turkey has employed several methods to deny or downplay the Armenian genocide. These methods include state-sponsored historical revisionism, censorship, and controlling public narratives. The Turkish government has promulgated alternative versions of history through official channels, influencing educational curricula, and spreading denialist propaganda domestically and abroad. It has also enacted laws criminalizing the acknowledgment of the genocide, targeting individuals and countries that officially recognize it.
The response of other countries to Turkey's denial has varied. Several countries, including France, Germany, and Russia, have officially recognized the Armenian genocide. Others, however, have been more cautious due to political and economic considerations or their own historical relationships with Turkey. Some countries have used softer terms like "massacres" or "deportations" to avoid outright genocide recognition. Nevertheless, civil society organizations, scholars, and human rights activists worldwide have consistently pushed for recognition and responsibility by Turkey, encouraging public awareness and calling for justice for the victims of the Armenian genocide.