Hawaii Senate Bill SCR81

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23

Caption

Acknowledging And Urging Turkey And Iraq To Recognize The Genocide Committed Against Assyrians Between 1915-1933 And Urging The Turkey And Iraq Governments To Do The Same And Give Scholars Access To Historical Documents.

Impact

The resolution recognizes that between 1915 and 1923, a significant portion of the Assyrian population faced extermination while living under Ottoman rule, exacerbated by events in 1933 where approximately 6,000 Assyrians were killed in Iraq. By formally acknowledging these events, the bill seeks to propel a broader recognition that might currently be denied by both Turkey and Iraq. This resolution may frame future discussions on historical accountability and the need for transparency in acknowledging past atrocities against minority groups, particularly in how these might affect international relations.

Summary

SCR81 urges the governments of Turkey and Iraq to recognize the genocide committed against the Assyrian population between 1915 and 1933. This resolution emphasizes the significant impact of acknowledging historical acts of genocide, which not only serves as a moral imperative but also facilitates historians and scholars' access to necessary records. The resolution aligns with the European Parliament's calls for such acknowledgment and access, highlighting the international implication of the issue at hand.

Contention

While the resolution calls for recognition of the Assyrian genocide, it is poised to encounter potential pushback from Turkish and Iraqi officials who may see such an acknowledgment as a threat to their national narratives. The ongoing denial by these governments could play a central role in debates surrounding this resolution. Furthermore, it raises issues of local versus international recognition of catastrophic historical events, leaving room for discourse on the synergy between state acknowledgment and historical documentation access.