CIVILNET.AM
20:56
Armenia’s parliament has stripped Gagik Tsarukyan of his immunity and has approved his arrest. 425 new cases of COVID-19 are confirmed. Renovation of Yerevan’s Circular Park has begun.
Author: Alex Nanijanian
Environmentalist questions Lydian Armenia’s ability to resume mining operations at Amulsar
Panorama, Armenia
Law 20:32 13/06/2020Armenia
Environmentalist, lawyer Nazeli Vardanyan insists Lydian Armenia has no possibility to resume its Amulsar mine operations despite the recent statement about its plans. In a recent statement, the company refuted circulated reports about the uncertainty around the future operation of the project.
The company had specifically pointed to Nazeli Vardanyan’s statements made at a parliamentary commission that Amulsar project would be probably removed from the balance of the company. “In this regard, we would like to state that Amulsar project remains in Lydian Armenia’s whole ownership, the company possesses all rights of the mine exploitation and plans to resume its operation to conclude the mine construction works,” the company had posted on its Facebook page last week.
Panorama.am turned to Nazeli Vardanyan to provide comments on her remarks and Lydian’s reaction to them. Vardanyan informed the Armenian Environmental Front website has already published the May 4 ruling of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that would shed light on the fitter of the company.
“In December 2019, Lydian appealed to a Canadian court requesting protection from bankruptcy and extension of the company’s stay period under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (“CCAA”). The Court in its May 4 ruling removed the CCAA protection and enabled lenders to exercise any enforcement rights against the Company in accordance with various pledge agreements, among them are Sweden’s Export Credit Corporation and ING Bank acting as the latter’s financial agency, Caterpillar Financial Services. This implies return of equipment a or any other equivalent assets. This process is possible only during a bankruptcy proceeding,” the Armenian Environmental Front said in a Facebook post.
As Nazeli Vardanyan explained, Lydian made use of Canadian legislation and applied for protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (the “CCAA”). December was the deadline for them to pay all creditors and the deadline was not extended. “Through requesting protection under CCAA, Lydian sought to save time and recover either through obtaining new financial means, make financial changes or sell the mine. Its ordinary shares were blocked for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) in that period and later in February were removed which meant they where unable to trade on TSX,” Vardanyan said.
Another fact speaking of the upcoming bankruptcy of Lydian, in Vardanyan’s words, is the recent decision of the company that it would no longer file financial reports. “Refusing to present reports means the company is moving toward a bankruptcy. That was my point that probably this is the end, and I do not insist it will take place today. There is a process. Until today, there has been a court decision granting them protection and time to get finances. The situation is now different since the protection is now lifted,” said Vardanyan.
The environmentalist insisted the company has no financial resources, and the citizens blocking the Amulsar road would hardly permit them to continue the works, noting even Jermuk office of the company has been shut down.
To note, a first instance court in Armenia has recently approved the defamation case from by Lydian Armenia against Nazeli Vardanyan. Lydian Armenian demanded from court to oblige Nazeli Vardanyan to publicly refute her statements and demanded a compensation. Vardanyan said she is set to appeal the ruling, adding she didn’t attended the hearings as had never received appearance notices and learnt about the hearings from reporters.
“At the initial stage, I sent a letter enquiring about the stages of court proceedings as I had not received any notices. I was invited to court. I attended only one hearing where I got the documents to get familiarized with the case and prepare for the next hearing. Then another hearing was held when I was abroad. I presented by tickets and petitioned to start over the preliminary investigation but received no response. The last hearing was n May and I had a temperature and it was quite risky for others to appear in a court. I filed a petition, called them. The hearing was held and a ruling was made without even listening me. I will definitely appeal the ruling,” Vardanyan stressed.
RFE/RL Armenian Report – 06/12/2020
Friday,
Pashinian Accused Of Bullying Opposition
• Astghik Bedevian
Armenia -- Deputies from the Prosperous Armenia Party attend a parliament
session in Yerevan, February 11, 2020.
The two opposition parties represented in Armenia’s parliament accused Prime
Minister Nikol Pashinian on Friday of trying to intimidate and muzzle them for
their growing criticism of his handling of the coronavirus crisis.
The Bright Armenia (LHK) and Prosperous Armenia (BHK) parties as well as other,
more outspoken opposition groups hold the authorities responsible for 15,281
coronavirus cases and at least 258 deaths recorded in the country of about 3
million. BHK leader Gagik Tsarukian demanded last week the resignation of
Pashinian and his entire cabinet.
Pashinian rejected the criticism on Wednesday, predicting the “political death”
of opposition groups. He specifically lambasted the BHK and the LHK the
following day, saying that they may have contributed to the rapid speed of the
coronavirus in Armenia. He pledged to investigate their “subversive activities.”
Lawmakers representing the two parties, which control 43 of the 132 parliament
seats between them, strongly condemned Pashinian’s statements.
“The events of the past week make me wonder if there is a dictatorial regime in
our country and we don’t know that,” said the BHK’s Shake Isayan.
“When the authorities, the prime minister said that we are in a
[coronavirus-related] hellish situation what did they expect from the largest
parliamentary opposition faction?” she told RFE/RL’s Armenian service.
Armenia -- Ani Samsonian of the Bright Armenia Party speaks at a parliament
session, February 11, 2020
“There is no other country in the world where the government is holding the
opposition responsible [for the coronavirus outbreak,]” said the LHK’s Ani
Samsonian.
“They too realize that they have made many mistakes and that people have started
to understand that,” said Samsonian. “And their sole objective now is to silence
all critics.”
Alen Simonian, a deputy parliament speaker and senior member of the ruling My
Step bloc, dismissed these claims and accused the opposition of trying to take
advantage of the coronavirus crisis. “They will get a very bad answer from both
the public and the elected, legitimate government of Armenia,” he said.
Azeri Man Held On Armenian Border
• Sargis Harutyunyan
Armenia - Clouds coming down on the eastern coast of Lake Sevan.
An Azerbaijani man was detained by the National Security Service (NSS) after
reportedly crossing into Armenia on Friday.
The NSS said that the 26-year-old man will be held in detention pending
investigation. It said it is now trying to “ascertain all circumstances of the
illegal border crossing.”
The detention was first reported by the head of the administration of Areguni, a
village in Armenia’s eastern Gegharkunik region bordering the Gedabey district
in western Azerbaijan.
The official, Sos Hovannisian, told RFE/RL’s Armenian service that the man, who
identified himself as Elshan Aliyev, was first spotted by another village
resident and escorted to his office in the morning. Hovannisian said he spoke to
him before alerting the NSS.
In Hovannisian’s words, Aliyev claimed to who have worked as a shepherd for an
Azerbaijani farmer in a Gedabey village and decided to flee to Armenia because
of being mistreated and not paid by his employer. “He told me: “I want to move
to a third country but if you give me a job here I’d love to stay with you
Armenians,’” said Hovannisian.
The village chief added that the young Azerbaijani was poorly dressed and had a
flour sack filled with his personal belongings. The NSS also said that he
carried a sack.
The Yerevan office of the International Committee of the Red Cross said that it
has already contacted the Armenian authorities in connection with the detention.
The Azerbaijani government did not immediately react to it.
Areguni is located on the eastern shore of Lake Sevan just a few kilometers from
one of the most mountainous sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
Hovannisian claimed that another Azerbaijani national was detained in a nearby
Armenian village earlier this year. The Armenian authorities did not report such
an incident, however.
Throughout the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict dozens of residents of Armenian and
Azerbaijani border villages have crossed the heavily militarized frontier. The
vast majority of them are believed to have strayed into enemy territory
mistakenly.
In September 2010, a 20-year-old resident of another Gegharkunik village, Manvel
Saribekian crossed into Azerbaijan and was immediately accused by Baku of
planning to carry out terrorist attacks.
Saribekian was found hanged in an Azerbaijani detention center one month later.
Azerbaijani officials claimed that he committed suicide. But in a January 2020
ruling, the European Court of Human Rights backed Armenian forensic experts’
conclusion that young man was tortured to death.
Another Armenian villager, Karen Petrosian, was pronounced dead in August 2014
one day after being detained in an Azerbaijani village across the border. The
Azerbaijani military claimed that he died of “acute heart failure.”
The Armenian authorities believe, however, that Petrosian was murdered or beaten
to death. The United States and France expressed serious concern at Petrosian’s
suspicious death and called on Baku to conduct an objective investigation.
At least one Armenian national is known to be currently held in an Azerbaijani
prison. Karen Ghazarian, a resident of the Tavush province bordering Azerbaijan,
was captured in July 2018.
In February 2019, an Azerbaijani court sentenced Ghazarian to 20 years in prison
on charges of plotting terrorist attacks and “sabotage” in Azerbaijan. Yerevan
condemned the ruling and demanded Ghazarian’s immediate release.
No Azerbaijani villagers are known to have died in Armenian captivity.
Georgia, Lithuania Offer To Help Coronavirus-Hit Armenia
• Artak Khulian
• Marine Khachatrian
Armenia -- Medics at the Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center in Yerevan,
Armenia's largest hospital treating COVID-19 patients, June 5, 2020.
The governments of Georgia and Lithuania have offered to send medical teams to
Armenia to help authorities there deal with the country’s worsening coronavirus
crisis.
It remained unclear on Friday whether the Armenian authorities have agreed to
deploy foreign doctors to Armenia’s increasingly overstretched hospitals
treating COVID-19 patients.
“Lithuania continues standing by our Armenian friends,” Lithuanian Foreign
Minister Linas Linkevicius tweeted on Wednesday. “Today Lithuanian Government
decided to send a medical team and experts to Armenia aimed at helping to combat
COVID-19.”
Yerevan received on Thursday similar offers from neighboring Georgia which has
been far more successful in containing the spread of the coronavirus. Georgian
Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said his government is now discussing details of
its aid with the Armenian side. He said Tbilisi will likely send medics to
Armenia.
Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze spoke with her Armenian counterpart
Arsen Torosian by phone later on Thursday. Tikaradze said she reaffirmed her
government’s readiness to dispatch doctors as well as medical equipment.
Georgia - Two security officers wearing face masks check temperature at the
market entrance in central Tbilisi on June 3, 2020
The Armenian Ministry of Health made no mention of that offer in a statement on
the phone conversation. It said the two ministers discussed “possibilities of
mutual assistance” and agreed to set up a “permanent platform for the exchange
of experience” in the fight against COVID-19.
Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian spoke, meanwhile, of a “long list” of
countries and international organizations ready to help Armenia tackle the
crisis. But he did not name any of them.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian implied, for his part, that his country does not
yet need foreign aid but will not refuse it either. “We believe that real
friends emerge in difficult times and we will certainly accept assistance from
those countries that make friendly gestures towards us,” Pashinian told a news
briefing on Thursday.
Torosian warned on June 4 that Armenia’s healthcare system is now so
overstretched that hospitals may soon be unable to admit all infected citizens
in need of urgent treatment. He announced afterwards that the health authorities
will set up soon 350 new hospital beds to treat the increased number of people
infected with the virus.
The health minister insisted on Thursday that Armenian hospitals are still able
to give life-saving treatment to all patients.
Lithuania - Vilnius, Lithuania, march 19, 2020. Medical staff in protective gear
collects samples for COVID-19 coronavirus at the drive-in mobile testing center
organized in Vilnius city, Lithuania
Torosian seemed more concerned about the daily number of new infections in
Armenia when he spoke to journalists on Friday. “All our actions must be aimed
at restraining the [infection] numbers and not just increasing [hospital]
capacity,” he said.
“Saying that let’s just increase capacity and hospitalize everyone means not
doing enough to save as many lives as possible,” he added.
Torosian’s ministry reported on Friday morning that the number of coronavirus
cases in Armenia rose by 612 to 15,281 in the past day. It also reported 13 new
deaths caused by COVID-19, bringing the official death toll to 258.
Georgia, which has a larger population, has registered only 837 coronavirus
cases and 13 deaths to date.
Armenian opposition groups regularly cite Georgia’s COVID-19 record in their
intensifying criticism of the Pashinian government’s response to the deadly
epidemic.
Responding to such criticism late last month, Torosian questioned the
credibility of the official Georgian figures and claimed that Armenia has a
better anti-epidemic capacity than its neighbor. His claims were denounced by
Georgian officials. The minister said afterwards that his remarks were distorted
by his Armenian detractors.
Armenia Again Extends Coronavirus State Of Emergency
Armenia -- People wear face masks in the center of Yerevan, June 10, 2020.
Citing the continuing spread of the coronavirus in Armenia, the government on
Friday extended by another month a state of emergency which it declared in March
to combat the epidemic.
The government announced the decision after the Armenian Ministry of Health
reported that the number of coronavirus cases in the country of about 3 million
rose by 612 to 15,281 in the past day. More than 520 hospitalized patients were
in a severe or critical condition.
The ministry also reported 13 new deaths caused by COVID-19, bringing the
official death toll to 258.
It said four other people infected with the virus also died on Thursday. The
ministry says other, pre-existing conditions were the main cause of their
deaths. The total number of such fatalities rose to 86.
A few days after declaring the state of emergency on March 16, the government
issued stay-at-home orders and banned most types of business activity. It began
relaxing those restrictions already in mid-April and lifted virtually all of
them by May 10 despite the growing numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths
reported by the Armenian health authorities on a daily basis.
Critics say that the government never properly enforced the lockdown and lifted
it too soon. Some of them have called for a renewed and tougher lockdown.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian indicated his continuing opposition to such a
measure when he spoke at a cabinet meeting that approved extending the state of
emergency until July 13. He said the authorities will instead continue to
encourage Armenians to practice social distancing, wear face masks and follow
other safety rules.
Earlier this month the government made it mandatory for everyone to wear a mask
in all public areas.
Speaking in the Armenian parliament later in the day, Pashinian made clear that
emergency rule will remain in place until the authorities achieve a significant
drop in infection rates. He said the daily number of new COVID-19 cases should
fall below 150.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2020 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
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Expert urges Armenian authorities to ‘quickly and effectively’ address Iran-related issue
Panorama, Armenia
Panorama.am spoke with Vardan Voskanyan, an expert on Iran and the head of the YSU Chair of Iranian Studies, about the recent rally in front of the Armenian Embassy in Iran, its possible repercussions and Armenia’s future moves.
Panorama.am: Mr. Voskanyan, how did Iranian media outlets react to the protest?
Vardan Voskanyan: Iranian media actively spread the reports on the demonstration in front of the Armenian Embassy. It was also covered by the Iranian state TV, which comes to show that the protesters, in fact, expressed the views of Iranian government officials, although it’s not spoken out.
Panorama.am: Who were among the protesters? Were they representatives of NGOs or activists?
Vardan Voskanyan: Iranian media identified around thirty protesters as students. Protesters chanted no anti-Armenian slogans, nor did they burn an Armenian flag. The slogans were anti-Israeli, partly anti-American and anti-British. They decried Armenia’s plan to open an embassy in Israel and handed over a letter to the Armenian Embassy, expressing concern over the deepening of its relations with Israel.
If interpreting these events, it becomes obvious that Iran, including its official circles, are seriously concerned over the deepening of Armenian-Israeli relations, considering it as a signal of anti-Iranian actions in Armenia. I think this concern must be dispelled quickly and efficiently. The problem that has emerged must be resolved very quickly; there is no need to further explain the importance of Iran for Armenia's political, economic and security systems. Relations with our southern neighbor provide a certain part of our security not only in Armenia, but also in Artsakh. Therefore, these wrinkles should be smoothed out through diplomatic channels.
Panorama.am: Could Iran’s such a move be expected?
Vardan Voskanian: The Iranian response to the opening of an Armenian embassy in Israel was rather tough, as evidenced by some Iranian media reports some time ago. Iranians assume and have concerns that Israel is pursuing a policy of blocking Iran. Armenia is next in line within this policy.
Before taking such a step, Armenia had to work with all our partners so that we would not have such a reaction. Naturally, such reactions leave some negative impact on Armenian-Iranian relations, which is not in the interests of either Armenia or Iran. It’s beneficial for some states with hostile relations with us, and the fact is evidently used by those countries – Azerbaijan and Turkey. We need to develop more balanced approaches to this issue, as Armenia should never end up at the forefront of the Iran-Israel conflict or become a platform for such a conflict.
We had a certain level of relations with Israel, which is understandable and acceptable for Iran and our other partners. Let me remind you that Armenia has also established relations with Arab countries, which, I do not think, are excited about the deepening of Armenian-Israeli relations.
There is also a problem of communication here. It should be made clear to our society what Armenia benefits from this partnership, what losses the country may suffer or what possible challenges it may face.
Panorama.am: Can we conclude that the problem has stemmed from poor diplomatic work?
Vardan Voskanian: I just present my views and don’t consider it necessary to evaluate anyone's work, but in this case the results of the work are obvious and they should be corrected as soon as possible, because we cannot have problems on our two open borders with Iran and Georgia. I reiterate that this problem must be resolved rather quickly and effectively, so that we don’t have such events fraught with bitter consequences in the future.
Panorama.am: Don't you think that Iran’s protest is an attempt to meddle in Armenia's domestic affairs?
Vardan Voskanyan: In general, any country runs its own policy, taking into account its opportunities. If Armenia has the opportunity to resolve this issue by following the logic you mentioned, it can do so. I think that at the moment Armenia lacks such an opportunity. Many countries in the world do not have this opportunity today; they generally avoid having additional problems with Iran. The world's number one superpower also avoids confrontations with Iran. Therefore, any approach, including in the context of foreign policy, should be based on real assessment of one's own capacities rather than arrogance. Otherwise, arrogance can lead to bad and hard-to-handle consequences.
Panorama.am: What steps should Armenia take under the current circumstances?
Vardan Voskanyan: The country should address the issue through diplomatic and other channels as soon as possible and eventually resolve the problem which we regularly come across in media, already at the level of protest actions. This doesn’t lie in the interests of either the Republic of Armenia or the Islamic Republic of Iran, nor does it fit into the logic of friendly and warm relations that have existed between our two countries in general since the independence.
Media Advocate slams Eduard Aghajanyan’s ‘insulting’ remarks on media outlets
Panorama, Armenia
June 9 2020
Media Advocate initiative strongly condemns the "offensive" Facebook post of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Chief of Staff Eduard Aghajanyan regarding media outlets. A statement issued by the initiative reads:
“Eduard Aghajanyan, the Chief of Staff of the Armenian Prime Minister, made insulting remarks regarding media outlets on his Facebook page, going beyond the boundaries of politeness.
Media Advocate initiative considers such behavior of the state official and the chosen wordings unacceptable. Each individual has the right to demand a denying statement, each state official may deny the article written about him, but it does not mean that he or she may allow himself/herself to insult and label the work of the news outlet.
Media Advocate initiative urges Eduard Aghajanyan not to go beyond the limits of politeness and to behave in a manner typical of a high-ranking state official.”
Sports: Joaquin Caparros returns to Armenia
News.am, Armenia
June 5 2020
By Samvel Sukiasyan
The newly-appointed manager of the Armenian national team Joaquin Caparros has returned to Yerevan from Spain, FFA press service told NEWS.am Sport.
FFA technical director Gines Melendez and youth national squad manager Antonio Flores have also returned to Armenia.
After arriving in Yerevan, the Spanish specialists isolated themselves.
Sports: Gymnast Artur Davtyan among athletes qualified for Tokyo Olympics
Panorama, Armenia
June 5 2020
Sport 20:37 05/06/2020Armenia
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has published the revised Qualification System for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The new version, which has been approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), refers to Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics and Trampoline.
As the National Olympic Committee reports, under the new system, the qualification period for the Olympic Games has been extended until 29 June 2021 as set by the IOC. Among other changes is the minimum age of 16 required to participate in the Olympic Games in 2021.
The names of artists who have already gained qualification for the Games have been confirmed. Armenian gymnast Artur Davtyan is in the list.
It is noted that the FIG is currently working with continental Gymnastics unions and the organizers of the World Cups on setting new dates for the remaining qualifying competitions.
Senator Dodson signs on to initiative to recognise WWI genocides
NEOS KOSMOS, Australia
June 6 2020
26 May 2020 4:34pm
File image of Senator Pat Dodson. Photo: AAP
On Monday prominent Aboriginal leader Senator Pat Dodson became the latest high profile signatory of an Affirmation of Support to back the Joint Justice Initiative for national recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides.
Sen Dodson is the latest parliamentarian to announce support for the Joint Justice Initiative formed in February. Others to date include federal members of parliament Jason Falinski , Josh Burns, John Alexander , Bob Ketter and Senator Andrew Bragg.
READ MORE: Why is it so hard to properly acknowledge the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocide?
“Senator Pat Dodson has an unimpeachable record in defence of the human rights of indigenous Australians, and we are honoured to have his support as we strive for Australian recognition of the genocides committed by Ottoman Turkey against the region’s indigenous Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks,” said Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) Executive Director, Haig Kayserian.
Sen Dodson was elected to the federal senate in 2016 having played a leading role in defending the human rights of indigenous Australians including as the chair of the Council of Aboriginal Reconciliation and on the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
The Joint Justice Initiative was launched on 25 February at the Australian Parliament House with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between members of the Australian Hellenic Council (AHC), the ANC-AU and the Assyrian Universal Alliance.
♦ For more details of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the peak bodies of the Greek, Armenian and Assyrian communities.
Armenpress: Armenian deputy PM participates in World Economic Forum’s online meeting
Armenian deputy PM participates in World Economic Forum’s online meeting
09:37,
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Avinyan participated on May 18 in the online meeting of the World Economic Forum’s Europe and Eurasia Group, the deputy PM’s Office told Armenpress.
The meeting participants discussed the strategies of governments and businesses aimed at overcoming the economic crisis caused by the novel coronavirus, as well as the challenges existing in global and regional value chains and the possible solutions.
In his remarks the Armenian deputy PM said all countries are facing a public health crisis and the coronavirus is going to be a problem for a long time. Introducing Armenia’s strategy on overcoming the crisis, he said the current restrictions enabled to gain time and get adapted to the situation, increase the capacities of the healthcare system. Thereafter, the government mitigated the restrictions after the necessary preparations, at the same time imposing new compulsory rules and guidelines for the economy and public behavior in this new situation.
Tigran Avinyan said this crisis period is also an impetus to make key reforms, especially in the digital sphere. He touched upon the future development opportunities of the digital economy, digital governance and digital society and briefly presented Armenia’s experience.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Ottoman Empire’s deportation of 200 Armenian intellectuals from Istanbul
Blitz Weekly
May 8 2020
May 8, 2020 0 Comments
Andrew Harrod
April 24 marked the 105th anniversary of the 1915 Ottoman Empire’s deportation of 200 Armenian intellectuals from the Ottoman capital of Istanbul, an event that is remembered as the start of the Armenian genocide. Fitting reflections for this time come from Sister Hatune Dogan, a Syriac Orthodox Christian nun from Turkey, who has written about how 1915, this “so-called year of the sword,” fits within centuries of Muslim sharia subjugation of Christians.
Born in 1970, Dogan came with her family as refugees to Germany and now heads there a Christian humanitarian aid organization. In 2010, she wrote in German about her life and work in Es Geht ums Überleben: Mein Einsatz für die Christen im Irak (It is about Survival: My Work for the Christians in Iraq). She gave this author a copy during a 2014 presentation in Washington, DC.
Readers of Dogan’s biography would find unsurprising the 2019 book by Benny Morris and Dror Ze’evi, The Thirty-Year Genocide: Turkey’s Destruction of Its Christian Minorities, 1894-1924. These Israeli historians extensively documented how World War I’s infamous Armenian Genocide was part of wider ethnic cleansing campaigns of successive Turkish regimes against Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek Christian communities. In these three decades, jihadist beliefs played a central role in the slaughter of an estimated 1.5 to 2.5 million Christians in Asia Minor; Christians plummeted from 20 to two percent of Anatolia’s population.
Dogan’s family memories confirm such longstanding historical Christian suffering under Islamic domination. The practice of Turkish society was that a “Muslim may not namely be punished because of a Christian and land in prison,” and “no decade passed without plundering, murders, kidnappings, and rapes,” she wrote. Her community remembered how often in the past sharia restricted non-Muslims, such that Christians could not ride horses and had to wear distinctive clothing, while Christians’ houses could not be higher than those of Muslims.
Dogan’s family had its own share of 1915’s horrors. One marauding Kurdish tribal irregular forced one of her great aunts into a “marriage,” and even called his “wife” a houri after the eternal virgins who supposedly please faithful Muslim men in the afterlife. By contrast, Dogan’s family has remained friendly with one Muslim Turkish family, whose ancestors helped protect her maternal grandmother from a Muslim mob.
From more recent times, Dogan recalled how Christians in Turkey would say goodbye with tears to relatives entering military service and worry about not seeing them again, given frequent military abuse of Christians. Such recruits “have war from the first roll call—and indeed in their own company,” she wrote. In the Turkish military, Christians “are the enemy” and the “victim of harassment, mistreatment, and torture” from fellow Muslim officers and men.
Across decades, Dogan’s father and brothers would tell “always the same” stories of Turkish military service. At the beginning of her father’s military service, 80 men confronted him in the shower, insulted him, and spat upon him as an uncircumcised Christian. They screamed demands that he undergo circumcision and become a “regular Muslim.”
Dogan, meanwhile, remembered that state lesson plans prescribed weekly two hours of Muslim religious instruction, even though her teacher was the local school’s only Muslim. Dogan and her fellow students agreed to boycott the instruction, but they could not avoid speaking Turkish, as their mother tongue of Aramaic was “strictly prohibited.” Not even during breaks could they speak Aramaic.
Only with Dogan’s work with Christian refugees in Iraq did she discover a place where Christians had had a “certain protection”: under the dictator Saddam Hussein. Unlike much of the Muslim-majority Middle East, under Hussein’s Baathist nationalism the “Arab nation—not the Islamic—was the center point of the worldview of this strictly secular dictatorship.” Iraqi Christians accordingly enjoyed certain rights and freedoms denied to their coreligionists in neighboring countries.
Dogan particularly noted that Iraq’s Christians were “disproportionately in high positions,” such as the Chaldean Christian Tariq Aziz, for many years Hussein’s foreign minister. Having attended Christian-led, state-subsidized schools, Christians were “often better educated than Muslims,” wealthier, and “more modern” in outlook. Hussein even preferred in his bodyguard Christians to Shiites, whom his Sunni-minority-based dictatorship deeply distrusted.
Yet even under Hussein, Christians had a precarious position, Dogan noted, and an estimated 100,000 Christians left Iraq in the mid-1990s. After the 1991 Gulf War, the “Islamization waves in the Orient no longer passed by without trace Iraq, which had become internationally isolated and domestically under strong pressure,” she wrote. “‘Allahu Akbar’—‘God is almighty’ [sic] —decorated from now on the flag of Iraqis, anti-Americanism was increasingly Islamist-based,” while Hussein planned to build the world’s largest mosque in Baghdad.
Even worse, Iraqi Christian prospects declined precipitously after the 2003 American-led overthrow of Hussein. Dogan observed that Iraqi “Christians came collectively under suspicion of having sided with the Americans and British.” The American military’s frequent employment of Christians as translators often provoked the accusation that Christians were collaborators and supporters of “American invaders.”
So being Christian in Iraq became a “stigma,” Dogan noted. “Hardly a half year after the American invasion began a systematic persecution of Christians.” Thus “churches were blown apart, priests were murdered in beastly manners, nuns were raped, children were kidnapped, mistreated, and murdered,” while beheadings “quasi publicly executed” some individuals.
Dogan has come to the conclusion that in Iraq and elsewhere, Christian “refugees currently cannot be integrated into Islamic societies” that reject universal human rights. “In some Muslim lands Christian women count as wild game,” she wrote in a time before the Islamic State’s jihadist sex slavery shocked the world, while Christian schools in Jordan raise fears of proselytizing Muslims. In all, for both Shiites and Sunnis, a “democratic form of government following Western examples is directed against Islam and therefore a work of Satan.”
Dogan, as well as Morris and Ze’evi, have provided in their writings a fuller, more proper remembrance of 1915’s murderous events. This year was no isolated incident, but the logical result of a sharia supremacist culture that has dominated the greater Middle East from its seventh-century Muslim conquests until the present. Armenian genocide memorials should never forget that.