After struggling for decades to get the Armenian Genocide recognized, and having taken legal action against western banks and insurance companies, Armenian-Americans filed their first lawsuit against the Republic of Turkey last week, seeking compensation for confiscated properties and belongings, and loss of income as a consequence of the Genocide of 1915-23, The California Courier publisher Harut Sassounian reported.

“The news of the lawsuit was splashed across the front pages of most Turkish newspapers last week, causing great agitation in the country. Independently of the lawsuit’s outcome, Turkish officials are certainly aware that it would generate worldwide publicity on Armenian demands from Turkey emanating from the Genocide. Given the traditional Turkish over-reaction to any and all Armenian issues, it would not be surprising if Turkey’s leaders would become so irate as to withdraw their signature from the already frozen Armenia-Turkey Protocols. Also, Ankara could abandon its failed efforts to woo some elements of the Armenian Diaspora.

Imagine how furious would Turkish officials become when Armenians demand the return of Turkey’s Presidential Palace in Ankara, located on land confiscated from the Kassabian family. Furthermore, the Incirlik Air Base, a joint American-Turkish military facility near Adana, is built on the land of a former Armenian village. Armenians could sue both the Turkish and U.S. governments for deriving benefits from the expropriated properties of Armenian peasants,” Harut Sassounian notes in his article.

“Last week’s lawsuit is a long overdue step forward in the pursuit of Armenian demands from Turkey and obtaining justice for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Armenians must now concentrate their efforts on demanding fair compensation or return of all they lost during the Genocide. Similar lawsuits should be filed with the European Court of Human Rights, since Turkey is a member of the European Council and is obligated to comply with the court’s verdict.

It would be highly desirable to have the Armenian Bar Association or a similar entity coordinate such legal action and provide the necessary counsel and resources for future lawsuits. It is important to coordinate such actions with the government of Armenia, regardless of whether it formally joins in the lawsuit. The unified Diaspora structure, proposed in an earlier column, could well serve as a coordinating body for lawsuits dealing with pan-Armenian issues.

Such lawsuits must be filed with utmost care, preparation and professionalism, as they impact the entire Armenian nation. Should any of these lawsuits not move forward due to procedural reasons, the Turkish government would quickly claim victory by misrepresenting the court’s decision. Needless to say, judges handling such politically sensitive cases involving foreign governments are expected to come under intense pressure from both Ankara and Washington!

After seeking genocide recognition for almost a century, Armenians must now devote their time and energy to pursue all legal avenues -- U.S. Federal Courts, courts in various countries including Turkey, the European Court of Human Rights, and the World Court in order to recoup their massive losses and regain their historic rights, “ the article stressed.