Overview

This bill mandates the UK government to formally recognize the events of 1915-16 against Armenians in the Ottoman Empire and surrounding regions as genocide. The bill defines "genocide" according to international legal conventions and requires a government statement outlining subsequent actions.

Description

The Armenian Genocide (Recognition) Bill compels Her Majesty's Government to formally acknowledge the Armenian genocide of 1915-16. This recognition must adhere to the definition of genocide as established in Article II of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and Article 6 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The bill requires the Secretary of State to make a written statement to the House of Commons, declaring this formal recognition and outlining the government's intended actions following this recognition. The bill applies to the whole of the United Kingdom and comes into effect immediately upon passage.

Government Spending

The bill itself does not directly specify any new government spending. However, the government's response to the formal recognition (as outlined in the required statement to Parliament) may entail financial implications, though the extent of this is not detailed in the bill.

Groups Affected

This bill primarily affects:

• The UK Government: Legally obligated to formally recognize the Armenian genocide and outline planned actions.
• Armenian communities in the UK and globally: Likely to experience a significant symbolic impact, potentially influencing their sense of justice and recognition.
• Turkey: The bill's passage may strain UK-Turkey relations due to Turkey's continued denial of the genocide.
• Historians and academics: The formal recognition may shift the narrative in academic and public discourse surrounding the events of 1915-16.

Powered by nyModel