History

The spirit of the laws: The plunder of wealth in the Armenian genocide

Document Type

Book

Abstract

"[This volume] will make an invaluable contribution to the field of genocide studies. It is meticulously researched and features superb attention to detail." • Deborah Mayersen, University of Wollongong. "Akçam and Kurt have written a fundamentally important book... We know that genocides are accompanied by the expropriation of the assets possessed by the targeted population... But nothing like that has been done for the Armenian Genocide-until now." • Eric Weitz, CUNY City College. Pertinent to contemporary demands for reparations from Turkey is the relationship between law and property in connection with the Armenian Genocide. This book examines the confiscation of Armenian properties during the genocide and subsequent attempts to retain seized Armenian wealth. Through the close analysis of laws and treaties, it reveals that decrees issued during the genocide constitute central pillars of the Turkish system of property rights, retaining their legal validity, and although Turkey has acceded through international agreements to return Armenian properties, it continues to refuse to do so. The book demonstrates that genocides do not depend on the abolition of the legal system and elimination of rights, but that, on the contrary, the perpetrators of genocide manipulate the legal system to facilitate their plans.

Publication Title

The Spirit of the Laws: The Plunder of Wealth in the Armenian Genocide

Publication Date

7-15-2015

First Page

1

Last Page

206

ISBN

9781782386247

DOI

10.3167/9781782386230

Keywords

Armenia, Armenian genocide, Middle East, World War I, genocide

Cross Post Location

Student Publications

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