ISTANBUL, Turkey (A.W.)—For the second year in a row, major cities in Turkey witnessed public events commemorating the Armenian Genocide of 1915. On April 24, 2011, at 5 p.m., public sit-ins took place simultaneously in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Sakarya Square in Ankara, Human Rights Park in Diyarbekir, and the Municipality Park in Bodrum.
The events were organized by the “Say Stop to Racism and Nationalism Initiative,” (more commonly name by its Turkish name, “DurDe”), a civil society movement founded by various intellectuals and activists from Turkey, and affiliated with the newly found Democrat Socialist Workers Party (DSIP).
The organizing group issued a declaration titled, “This pain belongs to all of us,” which was posted online and published in some Turkish newspapers, like Taraf and Agos. In it, expressions like “a crime against humanity,” “the devastating act,” and “the great guilt” were used, in place of the word “genocide,” which is still a debated and taboo term among even many of those who acknowledge the guilt associated with April 24. This move, however, guarantees that a larger number of writers, journalists, intellectuals, and activists, from various walks of Turkish society, can more readily show their support and sign their names under the declaration. Still, some participants criticized the organizers for not using the term genocide. Journalist Kemal Ozmen said, “This is not our mutual pain, but it is our own shame. It is genocide, it’s a crime against humanity, and I personally apologize to all Armenians.”
Nevertheless, during the Taksim Square commemoration, the organizers weren’t shy in uttering the word genocide during their opening remarks, adding a touch of sincerity to the event and joining the chain of Armenian Genocide commemorations taking place in other parts of the world, from Dzidzernagapert to Der Zor, Marseille, and New York.
In Istanbul, more than 400 people gathered to honor the victims of the genocide with a peaceful sit-in at Taksim Square, carrying roses and listening to Armenian melodies played on the duduk, whilethe names and short biographies of Armenian intellectuals arrested on the April 24, 1915 were read out loud.
Hauntingly, however, on the other side of the same square, a counter protest was taking place by a group of so-called “leftists” called the People’s Liberation Party. They carried signs that read, “Long live our new liberation war against the second Sevres Treaty.” The group, which numbered nearly 50, stayed 30 meters away from the commemoration because of a heavy police and security presence.
Less than half an hour later, another counter protest broke out on nearby Istiklal Street by members of the ultra nationalist “Bozkurt” group, the youth wing of the Nationalist Movement Party. The protesters carried the flags of Azerbaijan in an attempt to provoke anti-Armenian sentiment. They also chanted slogans condemning the “imperialist lies about the genocide” and marched the street making threats and other hateful remarks.
Earlier the same day, at noon, the Human Rights Association of Istanbul organized another commemorative event in the Sultan Ahmet Area in front of the Turkish Islamic Arts Museum. The museum, formerly called the Ibrahim Pasha Palace, served as a prison for a long time. It is also where Armenian leaders and intellectuals were arrested on April 24, before being gathered in the Haydarpasha train station and sent to the interior of the country where most were killed.
Nearly 50 people attended the Human Rights Association event, most of them journalists, writers, publishers, and activists. A statement issued by the association—titled “1915 is genocide, genocide is a crime against humanity”—was read aloud by human rights lawyer Eren Keskin, editor in chief of the Ozgur Gundem daily newspaper that focuses on Kurdish issues, and an Armenian Weekly columnist. “This civilization was destroyed and erased from its thousands years old of motherland,” read the statement.
Harout Ekmanian
Latest posts by Harout Ekmanian (see all)
- Ekmanian: Global Resistance Continues 101 Years after Genocide - April 28, 2016
- Houses without Doors: A Journey of a Hundred Years - February 19, 2016
- The Berlin Connection - April 26, 2015
These pics make me proud to have Turkish origins. If the 1915 genocide was recognized a long time ago, there wouldn’t be all the wars happening in the Mid East.
EK, I also have positive feelings about the Turkish people when I see these pictures. It forces me to confront my own animosity and prejudices. I gladly acknowledge that there are truth-loving Turks who value peace over Turkish superiority. They deserve our appreciation and support. But the powerful ultra-nationalists have run the show in Turkey for so long, setting both a covert and overt agenda of Pan-Turkism and Pan-Turanism, that it is hard for an Armenian like me to believe that Turkey, the nation, is willing to accept Armenia as a rightful and sovereign neighbor, let alone admit to the crimes of its predecessors.
Dear PAREMID(not to say Barzamid) Armenians.I wrote several years ago that great Turkey-in extension its cunning diplomay/statesmen-would by and by-yavash yavash, change stance and EVEN COME TO TSITNAKAPERT ,kneel down there lay flowers .beg pardon….HOWEVER, GIT A LOAD OF THIS NOW YOU PAREMIDS….NO REAL COMPENSATION. tHEY RATHER GIVE THEIR SOULS THAN PAY A PENNY AS COMPENSATION.THEY ARE NOT GERMANS(EUROPEANS) HAVE DEEP VERY DEEP OSMAnLI BLOOD IN THEIR VEINS. THEN WHAT WILL THEY CONCEDE TO DO?
oH VERY SIMPLY THIS:-aLL CHURCHES MONASTERIES OR WHATEVER IS LEFT OF THEM WILL BE REPAIRED,YOU CAN COME barzamid aRMENIANS-aS TOURISTS AND BRING US MORE $$$$..aNY OTHER SUCH hovarda(BIG HEARTED) CONDESCENDING ACTS?
OH YES indeed:-Those who so wish can come back to R.of Turkey and after a few yrs stay even be granted Great Turkey citizenship…after all this is Ahmet Pasha country very benevolent Turks are there also in this country.Our attitutde towards the Ermenis has changed now.Just come and we shall treat you with turkish delights too.You can go enjoy Istanbulla fish as well on the bosphorus restaurants et., etc., etc.,
One things more :-This p e r h a p s ??? eh,if you agree to all above then we shall throw in ARARAT (Aghri DAgh) mountains to R.of Armenian and ANI ruinds too.After all(amongst oursselves they will say within turkish circles..what are we profiting from those Mountains Aghri DAghs and ANI? let them go take care of that one (near border9 themselves..
O.K. Paremids?
E K, how about the threats and hateful remarks of the People’s Liberation Party and Bozkurt group, or the denialist policies of your government and most of your people on the issue of the genocide of Armenians by your grandfathers? Do they, too, make you proud to have Turkish origin?
How interesting that not one of the signs in the photograph is in Armenian!
The duplicitous Turkish government is covering their bases. They “allow” these demonstrations to take place and appear tolerant and open. At the same time the counterdemonstrations provide the public argument that they have staunchly supported… attempting to cast doubt on the veracity of the genocide.
Nevertheless, as Boyajian has stated, the presence of these honorable Turks should give pause to all Armenians. The risk of being used in a game of political positioning does not negate the courage and unique nature of this development. It illustrated that Turkey is a conflicted nation that is slowing coming to terms with its past.
If we, as Armenians, are confident with our beliefs in what we know is the truth, then we need to demonstrate that confidence by embracing the honorable Turks who are increasingly emerging in their society. Our faith commands us to shed our hatred and anger. One way to deal with this struggle is to invest in this ray of light that we see in Turkey. Read about it, debate it , engage with it, but let’s put our energy into things that pull us from the abyss of being stagnant victims…. stuck in the revolving door of frustration. Our pursuit of justice will be won by keeping our eye on the goal…reparations and renewal.
If we believe that we belong to an ancient civilization of substance and that we are defined only by the dark shadow of the genocide, then let us display that face. To do such is not to turn our back on the unfinished business of the genocide. it is quite the contrary… we honor the victims, our future and our faith.
Careful… trust not anything that emanates from Turkey – just another PLOY… for when Turks speak out against their 301 their government says it is “insulting Turkishness’ i.e. Pamuk is now being penalized – again!
Now, why are Turkeys “allowing” any Turks to speak out against their “Turkishness” – just another Turkish PLOY!!