Spanish MP Jon Iñarritu: Armenian Genocide denial is doomed to fail

Spanish legislator Jon Iñarritu has emphasized that the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide is undeniable and that any effort to deny it is ultimately bound to fail.

In an interview with Armenpress, the Spanish Member of Parliament expressed hope that new political, academic, and intellectual generations in Türkiye will one day have the “courage” to fully acknowledge what happened in their predecessor state, the Ottoman Empire.

The Spanish lawmaker expressed the view that it is “just and necessary” to recognize and remember the first genocide of the 20th century, especially at a time when the logic of force and the rule “might is right” are once again prevailing in the world.

“The historical truth is undeniable, and any attempt to deny it is ultimately doomed to fail. I believe we are witnessing a steady and irreversible process of recognition. In my view, it is just and necessary to recognize and remember the first genocide of the 20th century, especially in times like the present, when the rule of ‘might is right’ and mass atrocities seem to be once again becoming normalized in various parts of the world.

Türkiye continues to threaten and pressure others in an attempt to prevent recognition, but this is an effort that is intellectually and morally unsustainable. The historical truth is undeniable, and any attempt to deny it is ultimately doomed to fail,” the Spanish lawmaker emphasized.

Asked under what circumstances or conditions Türkiye would eventually confront the historical truth by recognizing the Armenian Genocide, Jon Iñarritu noted with regret that successive Turkish governments have denied the genocide, regardless of their political orientation.

“Unfortunately, denial of what happened has been dominant among successive Turkish governments, regardless of their political orientation. However, I remain hopeful that new political, academic, and intellectual generations in Türkiye will one day have the courage to fully acknowledge what happened,” he said.

He added that recognition of the truth should not be seen as a threat, but rather as a foundation for mutual understanding between peoples, historical justice, and a more honest relationship with the past.

The lawmaker also spoke about the ongoing process of normalizing relations between Armenia and Türkiye, in the context of how this process could influence the issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

“Dialogue is always positive, and I hope it will contribute to the improvement of relations between the two states and their peoples. However, Türkiye must come to terms with one essential reality: millions of Armenians around the world are the descendants of genocide survivors. They are the descendants of Armenians who once lived in what is now part of Türkiye, who were part of that society and contributed to its development through their knowledge, culture, work, and prosperity,” Jon Iñarritu emphasized.

In his view, a Türkiye that acknowledges what happened will be more democratically mature, morally stronger, and better prepared to build sincere relations with Armenia and with its own history.