Quick Read: Spanish MP on Genocide Recognition
- Spanish MP Jon Iñarritu states that Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide is a moral imperative, not just historical justice.
- He warns that unpunished mass crimes increase the likelihood of recurrence.
- Iñarritu describes Turkey’s systematic denial as institutionalized state policy that perpetuates impunity.
- He calls for a firm stance and multilateral pressure from the international community.
- According to Iñarritu, recognition by Turkey would require deep cultural and identity transformation.
Spanish Member of Parliament Jon Iñarritu has characterized Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide as being not only a matter of historical justice but also a moral imperative. He shared his perspective in an interview with Armenpress, addressing Turkey’s continued policy of denial 110 years after the events.
Genocide Recognition: Historical Justice and Moral Imperative
According to Iñarritu’s assessment, history shows that when mass crimes remain unpunished and unrecognized, the probability of their recurrence increases. He stated that for Turkey, recognizing the Armenian Genocide is “not only a matter of historical justice but also a moral imperative.”
Critique of Turkey’s Denial Policy
Iñarritu emphasized that Turkey’s systematic denial goes beyond merely being an insult to the memory of the victims; it perpetuates a culture of impunity. He remarked that Turkey has “institutionalized denial as state policy,” employing a combination of historical revisionism, diplomatic pressure, economic threats, and well-funded disinformation campaigns conducted through international lobbying. This approach, he observed, “undermines the truth, distorts the present, and closes any real path to reconciliation.”
Role and Responsibility of the International Community
When asked what the international community should do beyond symbolic statements or calls, Iñarritu stressed the need to move beyond such gestures and polite diplomacy. He stated that a “firm and principled stance, consistent with international law and human rights,” is required. Reaffirming his view, he reiterated that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is “not only a matter of historical justice but also a moral imperative.” Iñarritu called for multilateral pressure to be exerted on Turkey to open its archives, assume responsibility, and move toward full and unequivocal recognition, asserting that “stable peace can be built only on truth.”
Conditions for Turkey’s Recognition
Regarding the conditions under which Turkey might recognize the Armenian Genocide, Iñarritu suggested that such a step would necessitate more than just a political approach; it would require “deep cultural and identity transformation.” He cited Germany’s confrontation with its past following the Holocaust as a powerful example, noting that only when a society honestly faces its history can it begin genuine democratic evolution. For Turkey, this means dismantling fundamental nationalism rooted in denial and requires Turkish civil society, particularly younger generations, to reconcile with the systematic extermination of over 1.5 million Armenians and other Christian minorities in the final days of the Ottoman Empire. He clarified, “It’s not about reopening wounds, but recognizing those wounds in order to heal them.” While acknowledging that the current political atmosphere in Turkey, shaped by authoritarianism and other factors, makes recognition unlikely in the short term, Iñarritu expressed hope that “another Turkey—more democratic, more pluralistic, and more ready to confront its history without fear—will emerge over time.”
Context of Armenian-Turkish Dialogue
Addressing the ongoing normalization talks between Armenia and Turkey, Iñarritu described the existence of dialogue itself as a “welcome development,” especially given the current global climate of polarization and diplomatic deadlock. He encouraged efforts towards mutual understanding, even if they initially focus on pragmatic issues like border opening or economic ties. However, he found it “difficult to imagine that the issue of the Genocide will appear prominently on that agenda,” stating that addressing this tragedy requires political maturity, ethical determination, and institutional courage that are, “unfortunately, absent in Turkey’s current leadership.” Nevertheless, he added that if the dialogue is maintained over time based on mutual respect and good faith, it could gradually create conditions for an honest and constructive approach to the long-standing issue of the Armenian Genocide.
The Significance of Naming Crimes
Iñarritu concluded by stating that the phrase “never again” should ideally be a universal pledge concerning genocides but often becomes an empty refrain. He considered the Armenian case symbolic, noting that denial for over a century has created a dangerous precedent. He emphasized the importance of clarity in using the term “genocide,” asserting that not every crime fits this definition, and trivializing the term undermines its meaning. However, when discussing “systematic, planned, and ethnically or religiously motivated extermination, as happened with the Armenians,” there should be no justification or relativism. He concluded, “Naming such crimes is not merely a duty to the past, but a guarantee for the future.”
These statements were made by Jon Iñarritu, a Member of Parliament in Spain, during an interview with the Armenian news agency Armenpress.