Young Armenian diasporans in the fight for genocide recognition

Abstract

One cannot underestimate the historical and political implications of genocide and its denial have had on the trajectory and formation of the Armenia diaspora. Armenians have used every kit in the toolbox to try and accomplish the recognition of the Armenian genocide and obtain justice such as symbolic, monetary and territorial reparations. Yet after 105 years the responsibility of this calamity continues to be denied and justice withheld. Drawing on the literature developed by genocide scholars, this thesis investigates what genocide denial is, how it manifests in the Armenian case and denialist rhetoric’s consequences on the fight for justice and on descendants of the victims. To do this, young Armenian diasporans voices are centralized to conduct a thorough review of their interpretations of denial, the attempts to rectify justice lacking, and the future of this battle. As a result, the research finds that the systematic denial of the Armenian genocide and absence of justice has created a situation in which these painful memories have festered for years. It has concurrently been the glue keeping together the diaspora but while the demands for justice are loud, young diasporans admit the impracticality or even impossibility of justice.