Hawaii Senate Bill SR62

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Acknowledging And Urging Turkey And Iraq To Recognize The Genocide Committed Against Assyrians Between 1915-1933.

Impact

The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of the suffering endured by the Assyrian people and seeks to encourage Turkey and Iraq to confront their historical actions. Acknowledging such a historical injustice could foster a more comprehensive understanding of these events, potentially opening the door for dialogue and reconciliation between affected communities and their respective governments. Such recognition may also reinforce international human rights norms by aligning with similar calls from entities like the European Parliament.

Summary

Senate Resolution 62 aims to acknowledge and urge the governments of Turkey and Iraq to recognize the genocide committed against Assyrians between 1915 and 1933. This resolution highlights the significance of recognizing past genocides in deterring future acts of mass violence and encourages open access to historical records for scholars and historians. It places special emphasis on the particular acts of violence against the Assyrian population, led by Ottoman Turks and later by Iraqi forces, which resulted in the deaths of a significant portion of the Assyrian community during these tumultuous years.

Contention

The passage of SR62 underscores a broader debate regarding the recognition of historical genocides and their implications for modern diplomatic relations. While the resolution calls for recognition from Turkey and Iraq, both nations have historically denied or downplayed these genocides, leading to tensions in their relations with countries advocating for such acknowledgment. This moral stance taken by Hawaii's Senate may elicit varied responses from the respective governments, potentially complicating international relations and political dynamics in the region.