Armenian Genocide Reparations Study Group Publishes Final Report

YEREVAN (A.W.)—The Armenian Genocide Reparations Study Group (AGRSG) on March 30 published its final report, entitled “Resolution with Justice—Reparations for the Armenian Genocide.”

The cover of the report
The cover of the report

In September 2014, the group completed the report, which is a wide-ranging analysis of the legal, historical, political, and ethical dimensions of the question of reparations for the genocide. The report also includes specific recommendations for the components of a complete reparations package.

The AGRSG was assembled in 2007, comprised of four experts in different areas of reparations theory and practice. Funded initially by a grant from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), the members of the AGRSG are Alfred de Zayas, Jermaine O. McCalpin, Ara Papian, and Henry C. Theriault (chair). George Aghjayan serves as a special consultant.

The question of reparations for losses suffered both by individual victims and the Armenian nation as a whole during the genocide has been studied by many scholars and academics over the years. However, the discourse was generally limited and included only abstract notions of territorial and monetary return. Although there have been several examples of valuable works treating the issue, none have approached the topic of reparations with a comprehensiveness and detailed analysis like the one put forth by the AGRSG.

In December 2014, Theriault spoke to the Armenian Weekly about how the project was conceived and executed, as well as some of the challenges the group had faced. According to Theriault, the resolution of the Armenian Genocide issue has to go beyond simply ending denial, and requires real long-term justice in the form of reparations, including land.

The final report is available in PDF format on the AGRSG’s website.

9 Comments

  1. Send the report to Erdogan since he is always itching for a historical analysis of the events. Besides, why doesn’t Erdogon challenge France or Russia on the historical fact-finding mission. Apparently, they’ve already studied the events and deemed it as genocide, it would be wiser move to counter their findings. Whether Armenians say it’s genocide or not is irrelevant at this stage, what matters most is to prove to the others that they have their heads screwed on the wrong way. Until and when they can reverse the course, their Turkey has been cooked.

  2. If we were to demend territories from Turkey lets be a little logical,we should only demend the Armenian provinces of Igdir,Kars Ardahan and Artvin which will bring us to the black sea.Armenia needs an outlet to the sea. Lets forget about Van and Erzerum, Turkey will never give up so much territories.Will be so lucky if we could get even Kars , Ardahan and Artvin.

  3. I am puzzled by Ara Papian’s suggestion, backing off from Wilsonian Armenia for which he was a staunch supporter all these years, to this parcel of land which would be “leased”; would be demilitarized but would remain under Turkish control; Armenians would move freely thru it; yet the current inhabitants will be allowed to stay there; and “the territory will be policed (!!) by Turkey”?? Does this alternative #4 proposed by Ara, sound workable, or does it provide a strong bargaining position ?!

  4. Armenian’s from the diaspora will not come to live in the territories of their forefathers still under Turkish control. That’s a foolish proposition. Wilsonian Armenia as part of the treaty needs to be implemented, not all at once, but in stages. Also, Giligia should be in the discussions as an alternate option. However, the question remains, will Turkey abide by the decision of the EU and the US the 2nd time around? How much pressure will be put on them to do it?

  5. Armenians have all the choices to reside in places like France or Swissland and but prefer to and are already living amongst Turks in turkey legally and illegally entering risking life andimb entering in there droves seeking better lives amongst there Turkic neighbors , willing to be part of Turkish society , the Armenians in Armenia have better options with the Turks than there diaspora whom live in the comfort homes on there comfortable arm chairs getting ready to go Macdonalds unconcerned about where there next meal comes from , sadly most Armenians don’t know or have a clue how there fellow countryman lives , thankyou .

    • You are right Americans for the most part do not have a clue BUT I DO AND IM AN ARMENIAN AMERICAN

  6. About a week ago at the Armenian Museum of America was a speaker, “Helmut” something. He stated that in 1930 or 1938, the U.S. government signed a document with Turkey, U.S. citizens would not be allowed to make reparations. Comments please…

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