Henry Theriault to Discuss Genocide Reparations at NAASR

BELMONT, Mass.—On Thurs., May 21, Prof. Henry Theriault of Worcester State University will present a talk entitled, “‘Resolution with Justice’: Reparations for the Armenian Genocide Considered,” at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center in Belmont. The lecture was originally scheduled for Feb. 12, but was postponed due to snow.

In recent years, the issue of reparations for the Armenian Genocide has gone from being a marginal concern to a central focus in popular and academic circles. Most of the efforts to date have been in the form of piecemeal individual reparation cases. But what are the possibilities and limitations of pursuing broader reparations?

Dr. Theriault chaired the Armenian Genocide Reparations Study Group that in March 2015 published its final report, “Resolution with Justice: Reparations for the Armenian Genocide.” The report attempts to provide analysis and recommendations that would lead to steps toward a larger process of reparation for the extensive outstanding damages of the genocide than has previously been undertaken. With the gradual increase in genuine, non-denialist engagement with the genocide in Turkey, and with the emergence of a global reparations movement involving numerous human rights violations and victim groups, it is an appropriate time to take a serious look at a long-neglected topic.

Theriault is professor in and chair of the Philosophy Department at Worcester State. His research focuses on reparations, victim-perpetrator relations, genocide denial, genocide prevention, and mass violence against women and girls. He has published numerous journal articles and chapters in the area of genocide studies and was recently named co-editor of Transaction Publishers’ Genocide: A Critical Bibliographic Review book series. From 2007 to 2012, he served as co-editor of “Genocide Studies and Prevention,” and was guest editor of the “International Criminal Law Review” special issue on “Armenian Genocide Reparations” (2014), and the “Armenian Review” special issue on the “New Global Reparations Movement” (2012). His autobiographical article, “Out of the Shadow of War and Genocide,” is one of 15 featured in the forthcoming Scholars of Genocide Studies: New Generations.

The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m., at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research Center, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont. Copies of the report “Resolution with Justice: Reparations for the Armenian Genocide” will be available the night of the lecture. For more information about Theriault’s talk, contact NAASR by calling (617) 489-1610 or e-mailing hq@naasr.org.