Armenian Genocide Commemorated in Diyarbakir

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.

Selahattin Demirtas, co-leader of the left-wing pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party, joins the commemoration (photo: Gulisor Akkum) — Selahattin Demirtas, co-leader of the left-wing pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party, joins the commemoration (Photo: Gulisor Akkum)

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.

Diyarbakir Mayor Gültan Kışanak at the commemoration (photo: Gulisor Akkum) — Diyarbakir Mayor Gültan Kışanak at the commemoration (Photo: Gulisor Akkum)

A scene from the commemoration (photo: Gulisor Akkum) — A scene from the commemoration (Photo: Gulisor Akkum)

A scene from Raffi Bedrosyan's recital at Surp Giragos church (photo: Gulisor Akkum) — Raffi Bedrosyan at Surp Giragos Church (Photo: Gulisor Akkum)

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Gulisor Akkum

Gulisor Akkum is a journalist based in Diyarbakir. She received her sociology degree in 2003 from Dicle University. She has written articles for the Armenian Weekly since 2009, and is the Weekly's correspondent in Diyarbakir since October 2012.