Although dozens of countries around the world have hailed the Ottoman Empire’s atrocities against Armenians in 1915 as genocide, US President Joe Biden’s April 24 message raised new hopes of pursuing a more Armenian legal claim. If until now the lawsuits initiated by the heirs of the Genocide faced the problem of not recognizing the Genocide, now there is no barrier.
“Over the years, lawsuits have always faced these barriers in various cases. The judges repeated like a parrot that this is a political issue, they cannot ask for any compensation, but finally the recognition of the Genocide is the basis for compensation,” says lawyer Karo Ghazaryan.
According to Karo Ghazaryan, a lawyer living in the United States, this was a great victory, especially for Armenian-Americans, because they have struggled for years to advance the issue. However, this does not mean that it is easy to file a lawsuit and get a positive court decision.
“For example, if a person does not have clear data for which the United States can decide this issue, it will be difficult. In any case, the United States cannot make a decision on the basis of an act committed on non-US territory,” Karo Ghazaryan says.
Genocide expert Suren Manukyan thinks that the US recognition of the Genocide puts pressure on Turkey, because that country is the first addressee. American courts can no longer use the term ‘statute of limitations’ in cases initiated by Armenians against Turkey, as there are all legal grounds to claim the property of their ancestors.
“Genocide as a serious international crime has no statute of limitations, that is, regardless of whether you applied after 100 or 200 years, the courts are obliged to accept the lawsuit and carry out this process in court,” genocide expert Suren Manukyan says.
The genocide expert stressed that although compensation is a long process, it is still realistic; many countries use this model.
Armenia now has a strong playing card, which, if used correctly, will be able to achieve a beneficial result in this issue.
