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ARMENIANS FLEEING FROM WAR-TORN SYRIA
Voice of Russia
July 10 2012
The conflict in Syria, which the authorities describe as a fight
against terrorists, while the opposition describes as a civil war,
has forced people to flee from the country. Following foreigners,
entire ethnic communities are leaving Syria. Ethnic Armenians in
Syria have started to either return to their motherland, or to fly
to their relatives in the West.
According to a report released by the London-based Syrian Human Rights
Committee, over 17,000 people, including 12,000 civilians have been
killed in Syria since the clashes between the opposition and the
government forces broke out last year. Meanwhile, the UN says that
almost a quarter of million people have become refugees. This figure
includes ethnic Armenians who have been forced to flee from Syria in
the past months. According to various reports, the Armenian community
consists of up to 120,000 people the majority of whom are descendents
of Armenians who survived the 1915 massacre in the Ottoman Empire. At
present, they have to save their lives by fleeing from a new war,
says director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Armenian
Academy of Sciences Ruben Safrastyan.
"Reports from Syria say that the situation of the Armenian community
there is critical. People have practically fallen victim to the
fighting which has raged across Syria. Among the victims are ethnic
Armenians. On a background of these reports, it's not surprising that
many people prefer to return to Armenia. According to official sources,
the number of people who are returning has already exceeded 2,000. I
believe that this number will grow. For decades, the Armenian community
has safely lived in Syria. I would say that it has even flourished. A
year ago when the Syrian opposition launched its campaign against the
government, Armenians have daily been subjected to danger. Armenians
will not return to Syria until this danger disappears and peace is
restored," Ruben Safrastyan said.
According to those who talked to the Voice of Russia reporters, none
the less, the majority of refugees hope to return back to Syria and
are applying for dual citizenship, which is permissible in Armenia.
People leave their businesses and houses in Syria. The majority
of ethnic Armenians live in Allepo, Qamishli, Damascus, Lataki
and Kesari. But it's unsafe to stay there, especially when taking
into account their Christian faith, says political scientist Levon
Shakhnazaryan.
"Although Armenians try to observe neutrality, all signs of the civil
war in Syria show that they are embroiled in it. Bombings continue
on Syrian districts and houses regardless who lives there. Moreover,
Islamist groups that have recently appeared specially target Christian
churches and Armenian houses. Experts say that if the events in Syria
continue this way, from 35 to 50 thousand ethnic Armenians will leave
for Armenia," Levon Shakhnazaryan said.
At present, the Armenian authorities are drawing up a plan to help
refugees who will be granted citizenship under a simplified procedure
within a short period of time.
From: Baghdasarian
Voice of Russia
July 10 2012
The conflict in Syria, which the authorities describe as a fight
against terrorists, while the opposition describes as a civil war,
has forced people to flee from the country. Following foreigners,
entire ethnic communities are leaving Syria. Ethnic Armenians in
Syria have started to either return to their motherland, or to fly
to their relatives in the West.
According to a report released by the London-based Syrian Human Rights
Committee, over 17,000 people, including 12,000 civilians have been
killed in Syria since the clashes between the opposition and the
government forces broke out last year. Meanwhile, the UN says that
almost a quarter of million people have become refugees. This figure
includes ethnic Armenians who have been forced to flee from Syria in
the past months. According to various reports, the Armenian community
consists of up to 120,000 people the majority of whom are descendents
of Armenians who survived the 1915 massacre in the Ottoman Empire. At
present, they have to save their lives by fleeing from a new war,
says director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Armenian
Academy of Sciences Ruben Safrastyan.
"Reports from Syria say that the situation of the Armenian community
there is critical. People have practically fallen victim to the
fighting which has raged across Syria. Among the victims are ethnic
Armenians. On a background of these reports, it's not surprising that
many people prefer to return to Armenia. According to official sources,
the number of people who are returning has already exceeded 2,000. I
believe that this number will grow. For decades, the Armenian community
has safely lived in Syria. I would say that it has even flourished. A
year ago when the Syrian opposition launched its campaign against the
government, Armenians have daily been subjected to danger. Armenians
will not return to Syria until this danger disappears and peace is
restored," Ruben Safrastyan said.
According to those who talked to the Voice of Russia reporters, none
the less, the majority of refugees hope to return back to Syria and
are applying for dual citizenship, which is permissible in Armenia.
People leave their businesses and houses in Syria. The majority
of ethnic Armenians live in Allepo, Qamishli, Damascus, Lataki
and Kesari. But it's unsafe to stay there, especially when taking
into account their Christian faith, says political scientist Levon
Shakhnazaryan.
"Although Armenians try to observe neutrality, all signs of the civil
war in Syria show that they are embroiled in it. Bombings continue
on Syrian districts and houses regardless who lives there. Moreover,
Islamist groups that have recently appeared specially target Christian
churches and Armenian houses. Experts say that if the events in Syria
continue this way, from 35 to 50 thousand ethnic Armenians will leave
for Armenia," Levon Shakhnazaryan said.
At present, the Armenian authorities are drawing up a plan to help
refugees who will be granted citizenship under a simplified procedure
within a short period of time.
From: Baghdasarian