MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on establishing a European historical commission to examine the first genocide of the 20th century, perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians, Pontic Greeks and Assyrians

B9‑0264/2021/2021

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on establishing a European historical commission to examine the first genocide of the 20th century, perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians, Pontic Greeks and Assyrians

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 143 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the recognition by the international community of the Meds Yeghern, or Armenian genocide, represents a step towards building centralised state societies that are more equal, democratic, liberal and tolerant;

B. whereas, as with the Holocaust and other recognised genocides, an understanding of the events that led to the extermination of the Armenians and hundreds and thousands of Assyrian Christians and Pontic Greeks fosters solidarity, fuels the resolve to say ‘never again’, and makes calls for justice, peace and security among nations more convincing;

C. whereas recognition of the Armenian genocide or any other crime against humanity should not be exploited to settle political scores between countries, and an informed, in-depth understanding of what happened, as well as the repercussions and consequences, is essential to make sense of and deal with present-day events;

1. Calls on the Commission to establish a European historical commission to examine the first genocide of the 20th century, perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians, Pontic Greeks and Assyrians, in order to promote peace and democracy in the Caucasus and the Eastern Mediterranean Basin.