Armenia Solidarity
British Armenian All Party Parliamentary Group
Nor Serount Publications
Press Release
Call for UK Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
to further real Human Rights in Turkey
contacts:
[email protected] Tel 07876561398
[email protected] Tel 01494 816 757
[email protected] Tel 020 8997 1200
Turkish and Kurdish democrats and human rights activists called for a change
in British policy on the Armenian Genocide to promote human rights reform in
Turkey and good neighbour relations with Armenia. At the invitation of
Armenia Solidarity, the British Armenian All-Party Parliamentary Group & Nor
Serount Publications on Wednesday 2 May 2007 in the House of Lords, they
addressed a meeting on British recognition of the genocide of Armenians and
wider human rights issues in Turkey The meeting was sponsored and chaired
by the Rt Hon Baroness Park of Monmouth.
Ragip Zarakolu, human rights activist and publisher, characterised Turkey as
a ‘security state’ despite essentially cosmetic changes to some legislation.
Notwithstanding changes in names of the courts, the same mindsets in the
legal processes were delivering unchanged judgements contrary to the
long-term interests of the people in Turkey and their progress towards
democratisation.
Recognition of the Armenian Genocide and respect for the Kurds are two
important steps that would facilitate real changes needed within the
country. Denying the realities of history was a rallying point for
ultra-nationalists who were encouraged by the silence of the USA and
Britain. This reflected badly on the standing of these countries as it
demonstrated double standards compared to their approach to other human
rights issues. The number of Islamists in Turkey was relatively low but the
policies of other countries was making them more influential, for example by
allowing to attack democrats. The paradox is that Europe is apprehensive of
ultra-nationalists yet creates conditions for them to thrive.
Murat Aktas, the Kurdish journalist and political sociologist, referred to
the deep-rooted long-standing attitudes in Turkish society that had to be
confronted. There is a culture of xenophobia against non-Muslims including
Christians and Alevis, and tendency to humiliate anyone not of Turkish
origin. Hrant Dink’s assassination and other extra-judicial killings gave
the message that the ultra-nationalists can kill when they want to in
pursuit of their objectives. This is not just a local Turkish problem but
one that involves all humanity.
According to British author Desmond Fernandes, British parliamentarians
should be clear that denial of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey is linked to
the repression of non-Turkish minorities. Britain could not continue with
its current attitudes of facilitating denial in the face of the unequivocal
statements of the International Association of Genocide Scholars.
Persuading Turkey to move on this would lead to true democratisation and
relief from the current state oppression. Britain has a special role
because of its contemporaneous judgement that there had been crimes against
humanity*.
* May 24, 1915 Joint Declaration of Entente/Allied Powers — Russia, France
& Great Britain:
"In view of these new crimes of Turkey against humanity and civilization,
the Allied governments announce publicly.that they will hold personally
responsible.all members of the Ottoman government and those of their agents
who are implicated in such massacres."
Guerre 1914-1918, Turquie, 887. Armenie, 1, (May 26, 1915).
FO 371/2488/51010 (May 28, 1915).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
