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Op-Ed: Breadcrumbs To Nowhere

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  • Op-Ed: Breadcrumbs To Nowhere

    OP-ED: BREADCRUMBS TO NOWHERE
    By Lorky Libaridian and Edgar Martirosyan

    ianyan Magazine
    http://www.ianyanmag.com/2012/01/31/op-ed-breadcrumbs-to-nowhere/
    Jan 31 2012

    The recent passage of the French bill criminalizing genocide denial in
    France has caused massive rejoicing across the Armenian nation both at
    home and abroad. While the emotional reaction of Armenian communities
    is understandable given Turkey's continued state-sponsored decades
    long revisionist policies, sadly, there is nothing tangible here
    to rejoice. If anything, the Armenian Nation has yet again become a
    thankful tool of foreign powers, and while there is an abundance of
    appreciation towards Sarkozy and France, what exactly do we have to
    be thankful for?

    The law itself is fundamentally flawed insofar as it aims to undermine
    a most basic tenet of democracy, will likely hamper the issue of
    Genocide recognition as opposed to facilitating it, and is merely being
    employed by France to address its own narrow self-serving political
    ends. On its face, the purpose of the proposed law is to deter and
    punish those who deny the historical fact of genocides, including
    the Armenian genocide, and in doing so defend the moral interests and
    honor of the victims. Sarkozy stated something similar to the latter
    in his January 20th letter to Erdogan, writing that the intent of the
    bill is to heal wounds and protect the memories of victims. In short,
    the law, as its proponents would argue, helps restore "justice."

    But how, exactly, does it do that?

    If anything, France's passage of the genocide denial bill is nothing
    more than a resounding endorsement of Turkey's own notorious Penal
    Code 301. Similar to that code, the French law paints in broad brush
    strokes and does little to distinguish between a form of denial that
    has an element of hate speech (which is the intended purpose of EU
    framework decision 2008/913/JHA), and language that is purely denial
    without the added quality of hateful or racist sentiments.

    Over the past couple of decades there have been an increasing number
    of meetings and conferences between Armenian and Turkish academics and
    members of civil society seeking to openly discuss their mutual past.

    Numerous Turkish scholars now openly accept that massive "atrocities"
    took place in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, with a growing
    number of Turkish intellectuals calling it genocide. Though in its
    infancy, a movement is now noticeable within Turkey itself towards
    eventual recognition and reconciliation; this is occurring within a
    larger democratic movement within the country. Laws dictating what can
    and cannot be said stifle and run contrary to the basic principles
    of open forum and thought, and can arguably erode the progress made
    by Turkish civil society as a whole by causing each side to hold on
    more tightly to its "truth." Such a bill has the potential to make
    denial itself a patriotic, nationalistic act, moving us further away
    from the discourse which has slowly but surely blossomed.

    Sarkozy and France have their own political and socio-economic reasons
    for passing this bill at this time. Moreover, France's seemingly
    gracious and honorable bill will now be used as political clout
    for years to come when Armenian issues are raised. The favor, as it
    were, has been called in; France is now considered the great friend
    of Armenians. It will be harder now than ever to push France in its
    myriad of councils and unions - from PACE to the EU to the UN which
    make decisions regarding the Republic of Armenia - to help promote
    democracy and justice within Armenia, because, well, the favor has
    already been called in.

    But it is these issues - democracy and justice - which are most
    important to both the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian nation
    today. What is the effect of such a bill in France, or say even all
    of the countries of the world, if Armenia is neither safe nor secure?

    One of the greatest problems facing Armenia's viability today is the
    massive emigration it is experiencing due to a myriad of reasons,
    including political, economic, and social inequalities and upheavals.

    Of course, France is entirely silent on those issues. Thus, France's
    genocide denial bill is nothing more than crumbs thrown to a struggling
    people. We must stop feeding off such crumbs, and demand our rightful
    place at the table.

    In the end, nothing can bring back the 1.5 million souls that were
    lost during the Armenian Genocide. What then, does healing entail?

    Recognition by Turkey, and the world? What would best allow us to
    honor and memorialize the victims of the Genocide? First, various
    organizations and countries must stop using these crimes of humanity
    as mere chess pieces in their own political and economic games.

    Second, to bring about a world where such atrocities cannot and do not
    take place, a more ethical, open and responsible world. And finally,
    to have, in spite of our history and all which comes with it, a free,
    strong and independent Armenia.

    Yet nothing close to any of these will result from the French bill.

    Instead, those who question and challenge aloud will be deemed
    criminals. As much as this pains those of us who are descendants of
    the victims of 1915, we must be able to look beyond that pain and
    seek justice not by imposing restrictions similar to those forced upon
    our ancestors 97 years ago, but by making sure such restrictions are
    never again imposed on others, Turks or otherwise.

    Edgar Martirosyan is a practicing Attorney in Los Angeles, California.

    Edgar received his B.A. in Political Science from UCLA, and his Juris
    Doctor degree from UCLA School of Law. He is a Fellow with Policy Forum
    Armenia, and a member of the Board of Directors of ARPA Institute.

    Lorky Libaridian is a practicing Physician in San Francisco,
    California. Lorky received her B.A. at Yale College, majoring in
    Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, and her M.D. at Yale University
    School of Medicine. She has worked with various healthcare institutions
    in Armenia for almost two decades.

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