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| The Armenian Genocide, Turkey, and continued Acts of violence against Armenians living in Turkey
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Question Turkey's stand on the Armenian Genocide and be jailed?
Last month, Hulya Akpinar, a teacher in Kilis, attended a government-mandated seminar held in the Elbeyli district of Kilis province in south-central Turkey.
After asking "If the strong lobbies succeed in getting the Armenian Genocide recognized, does Turkey have a comprehensive policy in response?" Akpinar was arrested, jailed and later released on bail. In addition to Akpinar, five other teachers who also asked questions will be tried on charges of instigating social unrest.
According to a report in Radikal, a Turkish newspaper, the seminar was organized to shape "public opinion against the baseless Armenian Genocide allegations" and attendance was required for all public employees.
Yes, the Armenian Genocide did occur in the last century, but today the Republic of Turkey will go to extreme lengths to deny the Armenian Genocide, even jail individuals for merely asking about its policy.
And Turkey does not stop at merely denying the Armenian Genocide. Armenians in the Republic of Turkey are the target of violence and other random acts.
As we reported in the May 10, 2003, From the ANCA Desk, the Turkish State Treasury has brought a suit against the Holy Cross Tbrevank Armenian School in Istanbul claiming that it does not have legal status, and as such, the property of the school should be transferred to the State Treasury for "the security of the country."
That isn't all . . ..
- In February 2003, Takuhi Zaman, an employee of the only Armenian publishing house in Istanbul, Aras, was attacked for the second time. The attacker(s) did not take her personal belongings. Ms. Zaman was also attacked in December of 2000. The latter incident was reported to the nearest police station, since on that occasion the robbers had succeeded in taking Ms. Zaman's personal belongings. The investigation has yet to lead to an arrest and there are no suspects.
- Several months ago, two elderly Armenian women, Araksi Alayan and Hermine Acikgöz were found strangled in their homes. The two homes were separated by 400 meters in Istanbul. The investigations have yet to yield any results.
- In June 2002, property of the Kandilli Armenian Church in Istanbul was damaged. Window glass was shattered and the rope of the church bell was ripped off. Around the same time, a bomb exploded in front of the Getronagan Armenian School in the Galata district of Istanbul.
Today, approximately 70,000 Armenians live in and around Istanbul. By conservative estimates approximately 1,000,000 Armenians still live in Western Armenia. Turkey's ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide continues to deprive those Armenians of their inalienable right to their own culture and identity.
And, violent and other random acts against Armenians and the Armenian community in Turkey are continued signs of Turkey's unwillingness to enter the international community in good faith.
The Armenian National Committee urges the Republic of Turkey to closely monitor the treatment of its minorities and to ensure that crimes against individuals are quickly investigated and the criminals are brought to justice.
Send Letters to:
His Excellency Cemil Çiçek
Adalet Bakani
Adalet Bakanligi
PK. 06659
Kizilay, Ankara
TURKEY
Fax: +90 312 418 5667
Email: info@adalet.gov.tr
For additional information, contact the ANCA ER (80 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts, 02472, tel: 617-923-1918; fax: 617-926-5525; ancaer@anca.org; www.anca.org).
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Minister Çiçek:
I am extremely troubled to learn that your government not only continues to deny the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government, but also continues to place restrictions on its Armenian minorities. Additionally, several crimes against Armenians living in Turkey have not been brought to a just resolution.
I urge your government to come to terms with the crimes committed by the Ottoman Turkish government in the last century and to protect the rights of your citizens by ensuring that crimes against these individuals are quickly investigated and the criminals are brought to justice.
Your government has criticized the European Union for not setting a date regarding talks for Turkey's ascension. However, continuing to violate basic human rights will only continue to stall those talks.
Thank you for your consideration of my request and for informing me of any action taken on this matter.
Sincerely,
What Else Can You Do?
When the media reports inaccurately on the human rights situation in the Republic of Turkey (especially the notion that Turkey continues to improve its horrific human rights record to meet the European Union criteria), utilize the information above and respond to the media outlet.
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| 2003-06-21 |
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