Nikol Pashinyan’s recent remarks questioning the veracity of the Armenian Genocide and its scale are not just shocking—they are outright disqualifying for someone tasked with leading Armenia. By insinuating that Armenians themselves might bear responsibility, Pashinyan has aligned himself with one of the most harmful narratives of genocide denial—the kind propagated by the Turkish state for over a century. This betrayal of historical truth and national dignity is an affront to the memory of 1.5 million Armenians systematically exterminated by the Ottoman Empire.
The Armenian Genocide is one of the most thoroughly documented atrocities of the 20th century. The evidence is incontrovertible: official Ottoman documents explicitly outline plans to eliminate Armenians; testimonies from survivors, foreign diplomats, and missionaries detail the mass killings, forced marches, and starvation; and population data irrefutably demonstrates the near-erasure of Armenian communities in Anatolia. To question these facts is not a matter of intellectual curiosity or debate—it is to willfully ignore a historical consensus upheld by scholars, international organizations, many states, and the Armenian people itself.
For decades, Turkey has relied on a carefully constructed narrative to deny the genocide, reframing it as mutual suffering during wartime, dismissing evidence as propaganda, and lobbying aggressively to suppress recognition. Pashinyan’s statements eerily echo this playbook, casting doubt on established history and sowing division among Armenians at home and abroad. By suggesting that Armenians need to investigate “why” the genocide occurred, he shifts blame from the perpetrators to the victims—an insidious tactic often employed by genocide denialists to justify the atrocities.
Such rhetoric is more than historical revisionism; it is a moral abdication. As prime minister, Pashinyan is entrusted with defending Armenia’s sovereignty, its identity, and the legacy of its people. His words, however, undermine that very responsibility. To publicly downplay the genocide is to weaken Armenia’s position in its ongoing struggle for justice, embolden those who seek to erase the truth, and fracture the unity of the Armenian nation. It is a betrayal that cannot be excused or overlooked.
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Leadership requires moral clarity, especially for a nation like Armenia, whose modern identity is deeply intertwined with the genocide and its aftermath. A leader who casts doubt on this defining chapter of history cannot claim to represent the Armenian people. Such behavior not only disqualifies Pashinyan from leading Armenia but also raises serious questions about his motivations. Is this a misguided attempt at diplomacy with Turkey? A cynical ploy to sow divisions? Whatever the reasoning, it is unacceptable.
The Armenian Genocide is not merely a historical event; it is a wound that continues to shape Armenian identity and its place in the world. It is a moral duty for any Armenian leader to honor that history and advocate for recognition and justice. Pashinyan’s statements betray that duty, dishonor the victims, and risk undermining decades of efforts to secure acknowledgment and accountability.
By embracing the language of denial, Nikol Pashinyan has forfeited—yet again—his moral authority to lead Armenia. His words are not just a personal failing—they are a dangerous affront to the truth, the memory of the victims, and the integrity of the Armenian nation. Armenia deserves a leader who will uphold the dignity and history of its people, not one who calls it into question.
Vartan Oskanian
Armenia’s former foreign minister