Intercultural Human Rights Law Review
First Page
89
Abstract
This article asserts that President Biden's statement recognizing the Armenian Genocide of 1915 illustrates that genocide was prohibited by customary international law when the genocide started. It examines possible legal theories to explain U.S. recognition as well as historical evidence and statements made by other states to establish that there is a strong case for genocide already outlawed by customary international law in 1915. This provides a foundation for the article's assertion and subsequent legal analysis of the United States' statements of recognition under a customary international law theory, concluding that this is the most likely legal theory the U.S. would be supporting with its recognition. It then illustrates the real-world implications of this finding for international law generally and the Armenian people.
Recommended Citation
Jordan Koopmans,
The Armenian Genocide, Customary International Law, and U.S. Recognition,
17
Intercultural Hum. Rts. L. Rev.
89
(2022).
Available at:
https://scholarship.stu.edu/ihrlr/vol17/iss1/9