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BERLIN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: The Berlin evening, held on February 26, devoted to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, united the German deputies, public and political figures, the representatives of the Armenian Embassy and the Armenian community and interested people. During the evening, organized at the Berlin Chamber of Deputies by the Armenian Embassy to Germany, the Armenian community of Berlin and the Initiative “Genozid 1915”, the details about the first genocide of the 20th century were shown, historical and political evaluations were given and the present talked about the role of the German Empire in the program of Armenians’ killing and the current position of Berlin on the issue.
The board member of the Armenian community of Berlin Vardges Ailanak stated that up to now Turkey conducts denial policy, moreover, on the 100thanniversary of the Armenian Genocide, on April 24, the government of Turkey planned to celebrate the centennial of the Battle of Gallipoli.
Talking about Germany’s role, Director of the Moses Mendelssohn Center (Research Center for Jewish Studies at Potsdam University), Doctor-Professor Julius Schoeps stated that the German Empire could have stopped the slaughter of the Armenians, if it wanted to and if it listened to the warnings. “To this day, the issue on German soldiers’ participation in planning the massacres is disputed.”
Talking about Germany’s initiatives, the scientist particularly recalled the premiere of Turkish filmmaker FatihAkın’s film The Cutin Berlin and the release of Rolf Hogfeld’s book “Death in the Desert: The Armenian Genocide” in Berlin. “These developments taking place in Germany are inspiring examples,” he noted.
Nevertheless, Julius Schoeps says it’s painful to see that Germany is still causing trouble by not calling things by their names and that the term “genocide” is still missing in the decision adopted by the Bundestag in 2005.
He reminded that in response to the inquiry of representatives of the left-wing party of the Bundestag, the federal government informed that the government still hasn’t planned any commemoration event devoted to 1915.
The director of the Moses Mendelssohn Center says Germany needs to clearly express a position on the Armenian Genocide.