YHU Scientific Journal, Vol 10, p125-134, 2024
THE DISCUSSION OF LEGAL ISSUES OF WESTERN ARMENIANS IN THE OTTOMAN PARLIAMENT IN 1911-1912
1N. Martirosyan, 2 V. Torosyan
1 Institute of History, NAS Armenia, 2 Yerevan Haybusak University
Submitted 18.05 , Accepted 26.06
DOI: 10.61484/29538181-sj.10.24-14
Abstract. Western Armenians were the most suffering people of the Ottoman Empire. In addition to national and religious persecution, Armenians were subjected to tax arbitrariness by local officials and Kurdish and Turkish elites, and to various forms of violence. After the restoration of the constitutional order, the Ottoman Parliament was the highest instance where the Armenian deputies could raise all the issues affecting Western Armenians. 1911-1912 they took an active part in the discussion of the most important issues of the legal field: marriage and family, theft, gatherings, rallies, and demonstrations, as well as conscription. Despite the persistent struggle of the Armenian deputies, the Young Turks managed to pass several laws restricting the rights of Western Armenians and other Ottoman subjects. On the other hand, thanks to the efforts of the Armenians and other speakers of the parliament, the kidnapping of women and girls and forced Islamization were prohibited by law. No less important was the adoption of a bill against gatherings of armed men. Of course, the Ittihat did not introduce this bill to establish peace in Western Armenia, but to prevent any armed uprising against its authority.
Keywords: Ottoman Parliament, Constitution, Western Armenia, Armenian deputies, dynastic nobility, human rights.
Abstract. Western Armenians were the most suffering people of the Ottoman Empire. In addition to national and religious persecution, Armenians were subjected to tax arbitrariness by local officials and Kurdish and Turkish elites, and to various forms of violence. After the restoration of the constitutional order, the Ottoman Parliament was the highest instance where the Armenian deputies could raise all the issues affecting Western Armenians. 1911-1912 they took an active part in the discussion of the most important issues of the legal field: marriage and family, theft, gatherings, rallies, and demonstrations, as well as conscription. Despite the persistent struggle of the Armenian deputies, the Young Turks managed to pass several laws restricting the rights of Western Armenians and other Ottoman subjects. On the other hand, thanks to the efforts of the Armenians and other speakers of the parliament, the kidnapping of women and girls and forced Islamization were prohibited by law. No less important was the adoption of a bill against gatherings of armed men. Of course, the Ittihat did not introduce this bill to establish peace in Western Armenia, but to prevent any armed uprising against its authority.
Keywords: Ottoman Parliament, Constitution, Western Armenia, Armenian deputies, dynastic nobility, human rights.