The Vermont Legislature (USA) for first time officially recognized the 1915 Armenian genocide. The House and Senate unanimously passed resolutions Tuesday morning recognizing the systematic killing of about 1.5 million Armenians in the former Ottoman Empire and commemorating the 100th anniversary this year. The Turkish government continues to deny the genocide, according to Burlington Free Press.
Two Vermonters, Chris Bohjalian and Jessica Oski, who are descendants of Armenian genocide survivors, suggested the resolution to Rep. Joan Lenes, D-Shelburne, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the genocide. The official Armenian Remembrance Day is April 24.
Vermont became the 44th State to recognize the genocide of Armenia. The first country to recognize that crime against humanity was Uruguay. Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by 44 United States as well as by 23 countries, including Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, Russia, Belgium, France, Poland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Vatican, Sweden, Lithuania.. Swizterland, Slovakia and Greece have even passed laws criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide. France is preparing a similar bill. The Genocide of Armenians was recognized also by the CoE, European Parliament, the UN Subcommittee to prevent discrimination and protect minorities, the UN Committee for Military Crimes, the World Church Council, as well as New South Wales, San-Paolo, Seara and Parana (Brazil), Wales, Schotland and Northern Ireland, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Balearic Islands (Spain), Quebec, Kyev, Uzhgorod, Izyum. Goloseevskiy region (Ukraine), Crimea. Turkey still denies the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915- 1923. Euronest PA and EPP have lately recognized and condemned the Genocide of Armenians.