Two nongovernmental organizations have sprung into action
to stage a series of demonstrations to commemorate the forced deportation of
Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 and denounce racism, as the 97th
anniversary of the events draws near.
“We sum up the rationale behind these activities in a
single sentence: The recognition of the Armenian genocide represents the
fulfillment of an ethical, legal, political and social responsibility,” Ayşe
Günaysu, a member of the Human Rights Association (İHD), recently told the
Hürriyet Daily News.
The principal demonstration is to be staged in Istanbul’s
Taksim Square, although the İHD and the “Say ‘No’ to Racism Initiative,” which
are jointly organizing the commemoration, are set to announce further details
pertaining to the location and timing of demonstrations in other cities across
Turkey several days before the commemoration on April 24.
“Lies cannot under any circumstances prevail until
eternity, if we are willing to see the truth,” said Günaysu, who is a member of
both the İHD’s administrative board and its Commission against Racism and
Discrimination.
The two NGOs organized simultaneous demonstrations in
Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir, as well as in other provinces across Turkey, last
April 24 to commemorate the event.
“The acknowledgement of this [past] pain will lead to
real democratization in Turkey. Racism and hatred will lose ground, and we will
further approach humane [standards of] living,” she said.
Günaysu also drew attention to the death of Sevag Şahin
Balıkçı, a Turkish citizen of Armenian descent who was allegedly killed by a
stray bullet on April 24, 2011, while performing his military service.
April/13/2012
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