State Identity, Continuity, and Responsibility : The Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Turkey and the Armenian Genocide
Author
Summary, in English
By studying the continuity between the Ottoman Empire and its succeeding Turkish Republic, this article aims to address one crucial aspect of the denial of the Armenian genocide by the Turkish state, namely the issue of state responsibility. There are psychological barriers in Turkey which have largely suppressed the memories of possible wrongdoings during World War I and the ensuing ‘Independence War’. However, the barrier that is created by the issue of state responsibility is identified here as the fundamental obstacle for genocide recognition by the Turkish state. This article aims to apply some of the existing legal principles and theories of international law in order to test their applicability to the two Turkish states and the issue of internationally wrongful acts committed during World War I and the ensuing years. In addition to the Turkish Republic bearing the identity of the Ottoman Empire, this article suggests that the Republic not only failed to stop doing the wrongful acts of its predecessor, but it also continued the very internationally wrongful acts committed by the Young Turk government. Thus, the insurgent National Movement, which later became the Republic, made itself responsible for not only its own wrongful acts but also those of its predecessor, including the act of genocide committed in 1915–1916. The issue of possible liability has ever since the creation of the Republic formed the denialist policy which is Turkey’s to this day.
Department/s
Publishing year
2012
Language
English
Pages
797-820
Publication/Series
European Journal of International Law
Volume
23
Issue
3
Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Topic
- History
Keywords
- State identity
- continuity
- responsibility
- internationally wrongful acts
- ottoman
- turkey
- republic
- armenian genocide
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1464-3596