KURDISH DOCTOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON TURKISH GENOCIDE OF ASSYRIANS

Assyrian International News Agency
9-24-2009 9:46:53

Siirt, Turkey (AINA) — Dr. Ekrem Bilek, the president of the Medical
Society of the city of Siirt, located in south-east Turkey, and who is
a Kurd, has issued a statement on the Turkish genocide of Assyrians,
Greeks and Armenians in World War One. The genocide, called Seyfo in
Assyrian, began on April 24, 1915 and over the course of the next
three years claimed 750,000 Assyrians (75%), 500,000 Greeks and
1.5 million Armenians. The genocide was targeted at the three main
Christian groups of the Ottoman Empire.

Dr. Bilek’s statement follows:

In order for past sorrows and tribulations not to be repeated again
and for those with inter-cultural differences to live together
in a harmonious way, one must directly confront his or her own
history. Normally, the first degree of responsibility for the crimes
that are committed and that continue to be committed against humanity
falls upon political authorities and powers. However, to remain silent
about them is to indirectly become a party to the same crimes.

Anyone who sides with humanitarian values, especially intellectuals
and democrats, have the responsibility to confront, condemn and
punish these crimes. Fulfilling this responsibility by prosecuting
the culprits will contribute to inter-faith dialogue and for cultures
to live together in peace.

Any leading action taken by individuals, even though it may be
considered a small step, will enable political powers and authorities
to confront their past as well as give hope for past grievances to
be cleared away. Most importantly such actions will prevent further
tragedies from taking place and will contribute towards peace
prevailing amongst peoples. In light of this consideration and the
humanitarian action taken by Mr Berzan Boti and Mr Sabri Atman,
I think similarly, this will mark the beginning of the dialogue
between the Kurdish and Assyrian peoples.

While wholehea is humanitarian action which took place late last
year, as responsibility falls upon any intellectual, similarly,
I would like to point out that I impose upon myself to build the
first house for the first family that will return to its land. I
hope that this additional small step taken by myself will contribute
further towards the peace, brotherhood and tolerance of differences
and towards individuals living together freely in peace.

Dr. Ekrem Bilek President, Siirt Medical Society

The Seyfo Center, an Assyrian Genocide Research Center, contributed
to this report.