The Century Of Genocide Denial Tearing Turkey Apart

Synopsis

Facing up to the Past (2006) highlights the challenges faced by novelist Orhan Pamuk in Turkey after he speaks out about the Armenian Genocide. His acknowledgment of the massacre leads to threats under Turkey's Article 301, which restricts freedom of expression. The backlash against Pamuk reflects a broader fear in Turkey that recognizing the killings could result in significant financial compensation claims. As the European Union pressures Ankara to improve freedom of speech, the country may soon confront a necessary public debate regarding its historical actions and the implications of the Armenian Genocide.