On the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the start of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire on April 24, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP), the Working Group for Recognition – Against Genocide, for International Understanding (AGA), and the Central Council of Armenians in Germany (ZAD) are issuing an appeal to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. The signatories call on the German government to do more to implement the Bundestag resolution recognizing the genocide, to secure the release of political prisoners, and to protect the displaced persons from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
On April 24, 1915, 111 years ago, a genocide began with the systematic arrest, deportation, and murder of the Armenian elite, claiming up to 1.5 million victims. The German Bundestag officially recognized this crime as genocide ten years ago. However, the implementation of the resolution—particularly the inclusion of the topic in school curricula—remains incomplete. The organizations are calling for genocide to be taught in schools using the example of genocides for which Germany was responsible or an informed beneficiary. They appeal to Merz to support this educational initiative, as it “makes an important contribution to genocide prevention and strengthens empathy, tolerance, and an understanding of democracy in a society of migration,” as the appeal states.
According to the organizations, the consequences of the genocide continue to be felt to this day: Genocidal violence has recurred throughout Armenian history, most recently in 2022–23, when the population of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) was subjected to a nine-month blockade and ultimately displaced. Eight former members of the Artsakh Republic’s government were arrested upon leaving the country and sentenced to long prison terms in unlawful show trials. Among them is the former President of the Republic of Artsakh, Arajik Harutyunyan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment.
On the occasion of the European Political Community Summit (May 4, 2026) and the EU-Armenia Summit (May 5, 2026), the German government is called upon to actively advocate for the following goals:
- The immediate release of the eight former Karabakh government officials and all Armenians detained for political reasons
- Ensuring the right of return for the more than 106,000 displaced persons from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)
- Negotiating safe access to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and protecting secular and sacred cultural heritage sites that are currently being systematically destroyed—including St. James Church in Stepanakert
- A more effective, socially inclusive integration policy for people displaced from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and support for those affected
“Without a legal and societal reckoning with the painful and violence-ridden recent history, no sustainable reconciliation with Azerbaijan is possible. The Armenian nation must not be led to conclude that ‘reconciliation’ comes solely at its expense,” the signatory organizations emphasize in their appeal.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Dr. Tessa Hofmann (Working Group on Recognition), 65]?2ED2HE2<o??2>7@9]2DD6E, 030/851 64
Sarah Reinke (STP), 65]G378o6<?:6C]D, 0551/49906-13
Jonathan Spangenberg (Central Council of Armenians), 8C@]E2C=2CE?6Ko5?2EDC@G
This press release was translated from German to English using AI. If you come across errors or ambiguities, please contact us at 65]G378o6DD6CA.
Contact: Sarah Reinke, Director of Human Rights Work – 65]G378o6<?:6C]D