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Pope’s use of “Genocide” is Praised by Armenians and Condemned by Turks

By Max Bartels

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East 

 

Vatican City, Rome

On Sunday Pope Francis held Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica, he used the term “genocide” to refer to the death of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians killed in the former Ottoman Empire in 1915. The Mass was held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the events and the leaders of the Armenian Church and the Armenian President attended the Mass. The Pope stated that the events of 1915 involving the Armenian people are widely considered to be the first genocide of the 20th century. The Pope’s use of the term “genocide” has sparked political uproar in Turkey who strongly denies the allegations of genocide.

The Pope during the 100th anniversary Mass, side by side with leaders of the Armenian Church. (Photo curtesy of Yahoo News)

The Turkish President condemned Pope Francis for describing the events of 1915 as the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey claims that the deaths in 1915 were the result of unrest and civil war during a very turbulent time in Turkey and the World. The Turkish government has also claimed the death toll numbers have been inflated. In response to the Pope’s statements the government of Turkey has recalled its ambassador to the Vatican for consultation. The Turkish Ambassador claimed that this does not mean the end of diplomatic ties with the Vatican. Rather, that consultation is necessary for the ambassador after an event the Turkish government does not approve of.

On the other hand, the Armenian government praised the Pope for his statements in support of their cause. Armenia believes that Turkey is out of touch with the rest of the world and that the term genocide is widely used to refer to the events of 1915. The President of Armenia praised the Pope saying his statements act as a powerful message to the international community.

Pope Francis is not the first Pope to use the term “genocide” to refer to the events of 1915. Pope John Paul II authored a joint declaration with the leader of the Armenian Church in 2001 stating the deaths were considered the first genocide of the 20th century. Pope Francis took John Paul’s statements further, issuing them on the 100th anniversary, in the presence of Armenian political and religious leaders and urged the international community to recognize the events as a genocide.

For more information, please see:

The Associated Press — Turkey Recalls Ambassador over Pope’s Armenia Genocide Words — 12 April, 2015 

CNN News — Pope Francis Uses “Genocide” to Refer to Mass Killings of Armenians by Turks — 13 April, 2015 

Yahoo News — Erdogan “Condemns” Pope Over Armenian Genocide Comment — 14 April, 2015 

U.S. News and World Report — Pope’s Armenian Genocide Comments Anger Turks — 12 April, 2015 

Almost a Million Demonstrators Marched Against President Rousseff in Brazil

By Delisa Morris

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASILIA, Brazil — Almost a million demonstrators marched in towns and cities across Brazil Sunday to protest the slumping economy, rising prices and corruption – and to call for the impeachment of left-wing President Dilma Rousseff.

Almost a million Brazilians protested and called for impeachment of President Rousseff on Sunday / image courtesy of CNN.com

The protests in the country come as Brazil struggles to overcome economic and political troubles and recovers from an economic boom that crumbled about the time Rousseff took office in 2011.

Rousseff, who began her second four-year term earlier this year, is unlikely to face the impeachment proceedings called for by her many opponents.  However, a fifth year of economic stagnation and a multi-billion dollar corruption scandal at state-run energy company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras, has fueled their anger.

For a president narrowly re-elected about five months ago, the protests are a sign of a deeply polarized country whose people are increasingly unhappy with the leadership.  Recently, the hard won gains of an economic boom have begun to succumb to an economic slowdown, in addition to recent water shortages.

The unexpectedly large demonstrations also promise to fuel opposition parties and restive allies, including the leaders of both houses of Congress, who are nominally part of Rousseff’s ruling coalition, but are hindering efforts to pass reforms intended to jump-start the economy.

During a press conference Sunday night, two members of Rousseff’s cabinet recognized the rights of protesters, but minimized the importance of the demonstrations, suggesting that they were expressions of discontent by those defeated at the polls.

The press conference also attempted to discredit those who suggested impeachment.  Miguel Rossetto, one of Rousseff’s top aides, criticized what he called the “intolerance” of those opponents and likened their demands to coup efforts.

In a statement posted online Sunday, Aecio Neves, a centrist who was defeated by Rosseff in October, said the demonstrations marked a day when Brazilians “went to the streets to reunite with their virtues, their values and also with their dreams.”

“People feel betrayed”, said Diogo Ortiz, a 32-year-old advertising worker, who called the Petrobras scandal “a national and international disgrace.”

For more information, please see:

CNN – Why are protesters furious with Brazil’s President? – 16 March 2015

Huffington Post – Massive Rallies Across Brazil In Protest Of The President – 16 March 2015

The New York Times – Brazil Leader Facing Turbulence, but Ouster Unlikely – 16 March 2015

Barron’s – Brazil: Rousseff Impeachment Unlikely, Despite Weekend Protests? – 16 March 2015