Overview

This bill mandates the UK government to formally recognize the killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire (1915-1923) as genocide. It also requires annual commemoration of the victims and promotes education about the event and its relevance to modern-day atrocities.

Description

The bill compels Her Majesty's Government to officially acknowledge the Armenian genocide, using the definitions of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes as defined in international law (the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court). It establishes an annual commemoration of the victims, potentially as part of a broader commemoration of genocides. The bill further tasks the Secretary of State with encouraging public education and understanding of the Armenian genocide and its significance in the context of contemporary crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify any direct financial implications. The costs associated with the annual commemoration and educational initiatives would likely be minimal and absorbed within existing government budgets. No specific figures are provided within the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• UK Government: Legally obligated to recognize the Armenian genocide and undertake commemorative and educational activities.
• Armenian Community in the UK: Likely to view the bill favorably, as it formally recognizes a historical trauma.
• Turkish Community in the UK: Potentially affected due to the sensitive nature of the historical events and the ongoing debate surrounding the recognition of the Armenian genocide.
• Educational Institutions: May be impacted through the promotion of education about the Armenian genocide.
• The Public: Will be exposed to more information about the Armenian genocide via increased commemoration and education efforts.

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