Tag: genocide

Wikipedia Contemplates Deleting Article On ‘Mass Killings Under Communist Regimes’

Wikipedia is asking its users to weigh in on the platform’s article discussing “Mass killings under Communist regimes.”

The article discusses mass killings perpetrated by communist regimes throughout the 20th century, including the Soviet Union, China, and Cambodia.

Two warnings appear on the article, one asking for comments on the possible deletion of the article and one noting that the article may be biased or unverifiable.

“This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedia’s deletion policy,” the first warning reads. “Please share your thoughts on the matter at this article’s deletion discussion page.

Feel free to improve the article, but do not remove this notice before the discussion is closed and do not blank the page. For more information, read the guide to deletion.”

According to Wikipedia’s deletion policy, users are encouraged to “explain their opinion” on whether the article should be deleted.

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Biden Recognizes Atrocities Against Armenians as Genocide

President Joe Biden has formally recognized that the systematic killings and deportations of hundreds of thousands of Armenians by Ottoman Empire forces in the early 20th century were “genocide” — using a term for the atrocities that his White House predecessors have avoided for decades over concerns of alienating Turkey.

With the acknowledgment, Biden followed through on a campaign promise he made a year ago Saturday — the annual commemoration of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day — to recognize that the events of 1915 to 1923 were a deliberate effort to wipe out Armenians.

While previous presidents have offered somber reflections of the dark moment in history via remembrance day proclamations, they have studiously avoided using the term genocide out of concern that it would complicate relations with Turkey — a NATO ally and important power in the Middle East.

But Biden campaigned on a promise to make human rights a central guidepost of his foreign policy. He argued when making the campaign pledge last year that failing to call the atrocities against the Armenian people a genocide would pave the way for future mass atrocities. An estimated 2 million Armenians were deported and 1.5 million were killed in the events known as Metz Yeghern.

“The American people honor all those Armenians who perished in the genocide that began 106 years ago today,” Biden said in a statement. “We affirm the history. We do this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu immediately criticized Biden’s statement.

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