DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (A.W.)—Hundreds gathered to commemorate the Armenian Genocide in Diyarbakir on April 24.
The commemoration began with a march from Mardinkapı Street to the Surp Sarkis Armenian Church, where the co-chair of the leading pro-Kurdish party, Selehattin Demirtaş; Diyarbakir Mayor Gültan Kışanak; chair of the Diyarbakir Bar Association, Tahir Elçi; chair of the Human Rights Association Diyarbakir chapter, Raci Bilici; and director of the Gomidas Institute, Ara Sarafian, spoke.
Speaking in Armenian, Sarafian noted that as the Turkish state’s denial continues, Kurds have taken meaningful steps in the right direction.
Demirtaş challenged those who question the Armenian Genocide. He noted that when it’s expedient, the Turkish government attacks the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) that carried out the genocide, but when it comes to the Armenian Genocide, it becomes the Committee of Union and Progress.
Kışanak noted that Armenians chose the forget-me-not flower as a symbol of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, and said, “We will never forget it, and we are ready any time to stand with you in your pain.”
Elçi, in turn, called on Turkey and the world to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Bilici demanded an apology and reparations for the Armenian Genocide from the Turkish state.
The evening before, Raffi Bedrosyan gave a piano recital at the Surp Giragos Church in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.
Gulisor Akkum
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good man ,hero selahattin demirtaş…
New Generation of Kurds are mature enough to have their own independent county and live side by side with Armenians …