Mihran Dabagh: Genocide issue is not only issue of Armenians, it is the issue of the whole humanity

YEREVAN, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS: Armenpress news agency had an interview with the German-based Armenian, Director of the Genocide and Diaspora Institute Mihran Dabagh over the perceptions of the Armenian Genocide issue among the Armenians living in diaspora and Armenia.

- As genocide and diaspora affairs specialist, on what platform do you view this issue?

- My approach is more centralized on the work of the intellectualization of the Armenian Genocide. One of the most important issues for me of this period is how it is possible to get rid of politicized, propaganda level and transfer the issue on the field of thinking. This is not only Armenians’ issue, it is the issue of the whole humanity.

- How will you assess the steps of Turkey directed against recognition of the Armenian Genocide?

- Those steps are very primitive and have propaganda goals but they are not as dangerous as the new “establishment” I call “dialoguers and reconcilers side” who want to overcome the Armenian Genocide issue, solve it without raising the issue of bringing Turkey to responsibility. And the activity of these reconcilers registers success recently in diaspora in a way that now they decide which Armenian is to speak in diaspora and which one will not. Thus, currently the importance is being given not to the word of an Armenian intellectual but anyone who comes forth from the role of reconciler.

- What programs are being carried out for preparing intellectual-experts in the issue of the genocide?

- We have serious specialists in diaspora and of course in Armenia who are dealing with the issue but now in the center of attention of publics are more political figures and lawyers as the Armenian Genocide issue is mainly viewed from mainly historic, legal and political point of view. But I also consider the philosophic perception of the issue, and I call the intellectuals dealing with this issue in diaspora “silent intellectuals” who too do not exert efforts toward the publicizing of the issue.