State Identity, Continuity, and Responsibility: The Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Turkey and the Armenian Genocide: A Reply to Vahagn Avedian

Abstract

We have been asked by European Journal of International Law to write reply to an article entitled State Identity, Continuity and Responsibility: The Ottoman Empire, Republic of Turkey and Armenian Genocide. The article accuses Turkey of practising denialist policy with regard to the act of genocide committed during 1915�1916, demanding that it make itself responsible for its own internationally wrongful acts committed against Armenians and other Christian minorities, and also accuses it of expanding massacres beyond its borders into Caucasus and territories of independent Republic of Armenia. According to same article, there is state succession and continuation of responsibility from Ottoman Empire to Turkish Republic, and Republic must assume full responsibility for and should also repair injury caused by Ottoman Empire. The Armenian question is especially sensitive, among other reasons because of long accumulation of prejudices against Turks,1 Armenian terrorism in 1973�1991, Armenian invasion and occupation of western Azerbaijan since 1992, and more recently virulent anti-Turkish stance of Anders Breivik in his manifesto4 and various campaigns or attacks by Armenian nationalists. Instead of easing tensions, article fuels them through provocative, defaming, irredentist remarks of its author who harbours in his writings colours of political pamphleteer. On this sensitive issue our main objective is to restore much-needed understanding and fair as well as reconciliatory dialogue between Armenian and Turkish people and all interested parties, including scholars. The right to encompasses all aspects of truth and all pages of history; in short, a just memory. Thus, initiatives for dialogue between those who defend different views should be promoted. In this respect, creation ...