Armenians around the world are marking the 110th anniversary of the mass killings and deportations of Armenians during the final years of the Ottoman Empire — a period widely recognized by many countries and historians as the "Armenian Genocide".
Beginning in 1915, during World War I, the Ottoman government carried out what many scholars describe as a systematic campaign that led to the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians and the displacement of countless others. The events, which continued until 1923, are commemorated each year on April 24 — the date commonly associated with the start of the mass arrests and deportations from Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).
Numerous countries, academic institutions, and international organizations have formally recognized the events as genocide. The 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which defined genocide as a crime under international law, has frequently been referenced in discussions about the historical events of 1915.
Turkey, the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, acknowledges that many Armenians died during the war but disputes the use of the term "genocide," arguing that the deaths occurred amid broader wartime violence and were not part of a coordinated effort to annihilate the Armenian population.
Public commemorations are taking place in Armenia and Armenian communities worldwide. They feature memorial services, cultural programs, and calls for continued recognition and remembrance.
Speaking from Yerevan, officials and activists highlighted the importance of remembrance, education, and historical accountability. Some emphasized the need for continued dialogue and reconciliation efforts amid ongoing debate over terminology and historical interpretation.
The anniversary remains a significant and often sensitive topic in international relations, particularly between Armenia and Turkey, as well as among diaspora communities advocating for broader recognition.
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