South Dakota Becomes 43rd State to Recognize the Armenian Genocide

The state of South Dakota passed a resolution on February 27 recognizing the Armenian Genocide with a vote of 51 to 17. The vote, by the South Dakota House of Representatives, makes it the 43rd state to recognize the Genocide. The resolution, which had 28 co-sponsors, also mentions the Greek and Assyrian Genocides.

The text of the resolution reads: “Designating 2015 as the ‘Year of Remembrance for the Centennial Since the Commencement of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923′ in South Dakota and urging Congress and the President of the United States to formally and consistently recognize and reaffirm the historical truth that the atrocities committed against the Armenian, Greek, and other Christians living in their historical homelands in Anatolia constituted genocide and to work towards equitable, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations.”

Dozens of states, parliaments and international organizations have recognized the Armenian Genocide of 1915, including France, Uruguay, Russia, Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, the European parliament and others.