Turkish Divestment Bill Passes Senate Judiciary Panel

SACRAMENTO””AB 1597, the Divestment from Turkish Bonds Act, continues to gain unprecedented momentum, on Monday passing the Senate Public Employment & Retirement Committee by a vote of 4 to 0 with one abstention, and on Tuesday passing the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 5 to 0 with two abstentions.

California has a long history of divesting from countries that violate human rights, South Africa (apartheid policy), Sudan (Darfur genocide), and Iran (international terrorism, human rights violations.) A divestment from Turkish bonds over Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide, the continued funding of a campaign of genocide denial, and the recent erosion of democratic principles would send a clear message that California, the 5th largest economy in the world, demands justice and recognition for 1.5 million Armenians killed.

“California is sending a clear message to Turkey to stop their deceitful campaign of genocide denial,”