Quotes about the Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide stands as one of the most tragic and harrowing events of the 20th century, during which an estimated 1.5 million Armenians lost their lives at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Throughout history, numerous renowned figures from various fields have spoken out against this horrific chapter of human tragedy, condemning the atrocities committed and advocating for justice. Here, we delve into some of the poignant statements, (in this list I also included the cynical quote by Adolf Hitler), made by famous individuals regarding the Armenian Genocide.
"Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?" - Adolf Hitler
In a chilling speech delivered on August 22, 1939, Adolf Hitler, the notorious dictator of Nazi Germany, referred to the Armenian Genocide as a blueprint for his own genocidal ambitions. This statement highlights Hitler's belief that the world would turn a blind eye to his own heinous crimes against humanity, echoing the impunity with which the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide operated.
"Armenia is dying, but it will survive. The little blood that is left is precious blood that will give birth to a heroic generation. A nation that does not want to die, does not die." - Anatole France (1926)
"All that I have seen and heard surpasses all imagination. Speaking of 'thousand and one horrors' is very little in this case. I thought I was passing through a part of hell... everywhere it is the same Governmental barbarism which aims at the systematic annihilation through starvation of the survivors of the Armenian nation in Turkey." - August Bernau
"I have the honor to report to the Embassy about one of the most severe measures ever taken by any government and one of the greatest tragedies in all history." - Leslie A. Davis
A painting by Suren Safarian, 1988
"The massacres that started in 1915 have nothing to compare with the history of mankind. The massacres by Abdul Hamid are minor in comparison to what today's Turks have done." - Fritdjof Nansen (1915)
"The Turks were now making a thorough and systematic job of killing Armenian men. The squads of soldiers... were chiefly engaged in hunting down and killing Armenians." - George Horton
"The Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust were the quintessential instances of genocide in the modern era." - Robert Melson
"Thirty thousand Kurds and a million Armenians were killed in Turkey. Almost no one dares speak but me, and the nationalists hate me for that." - Orhan Pamuk
"The legacy of the Armenian Genocide is woven into the fabric of America." - Adam Schiff
"Turks continued their previous policy. They would not stop commit massive and most awful massacres that even Leng Timur would not dare do." - Valeri Brusov (1917)
"Like the genocide of the Armenians before it, and the genocide of the Cambodians which followed it, ... the lessons of the Holocaust must never be forgotten." - Ronald Reagan
The Armenian Genocide Memorial complex in a foggy weather
"It was not war. It was most certainly massacre and genocide, something the world must remember... We will always reject any attempt to erase its record, even for some political advantage." - Yossi Beilin
"The association of Mount Ararat and Noah, the staunch Christians who were massacred periodically by the Mohammedan Turks, and the Sunday School collections over fifty years for alleviating their miseries—all cumulate to impress the name Armenia on the front of the American mind." - Herbert Hoover
These statements from influential figures underscore the enduring legacy of the Armenian Genocide and the ongoing quest for truth, justice, and recognition. Despite decades of denial and indifference, the voices of those who speak out against genocide serve as beacons of hope and solidarity, ensuring that the victims are never forgotten and that history never repeats itself. It is through remembrance, acknowledgment, and collective action that we honor the memory of the Armenian martyrs and strive for a world free from the scourge of genocide.