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KURDS, EZIDIS TO RALLY IN BERLIN AGAINST ERDOGAN
Hurriyet Daily News
Oct 29 2012
Turkey
ISTANBUL - Hurriyet Daily News
by Vercihan Ziflioglu
A large group of Kurds, Ezidis, Armenians, Alawites and Syriacs from
Europe are prepared to hold a protest against Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Germany today.
Around 10,000 people from almost 50 organizations are expected to
attend the rally in Berlin. Ezidis in particular are angry with
Erdogan's recent remarks in which he used the term "Yezidi" instead
of "Ezidi." They believe that the word "Yezidi" holds negative
connotations in Turkey.
Aziz AlkıÅ~_, head of the Ezidi Associations Federation in Berlin said
the "prime minister looked down on Ezidi citizens" with his remarks.
He said they would call on Erdogan to end his policy in Syria, as well
as halt pressures on minorities and ethnic groups in Turkey. Noting
that the Ezidi religion is not recognized on national ID cards
and signified by an "X," AlkıÅ~_ said it made their faith seem
anti-Islamic.
'Recognition of genocide'
Azad Ordughanyan, head of the Germany Armenians Center, said they
would call on Turkey to recognize Armenian genocide allegations.
"Turkey is still denying genocide. We will renew our call for
recognition of the genocide."
The head of the Alawite Unions Federation in Cologne, Huseyin Mat,
said the Turkish government has a policy of assimilation rather than
accepting all differences. "Erdogan will tell Europe that Turkey is
a democratic country here. We will tell that this is not true."
October/30/2012
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/kurds-ezidis-to-rally-in-berlin-against-erdogan.aspx?pageID=238&nID=33527&NewsCatID=351
Hurriyet Daily News
Oct 29 2012
Turkey
ISTANBUL - Hurriyet Daily News
by Vercihan Ziflioglu
A large group of Kurds, Ezidis, Armenians, Alawites and Syriacs from
Europe are prepared to hold a protest against Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Germany today.
Around 10,000 people from almost 50 organizations are expected to
attend the rally in Berlin. Ezidis in particular are angry with
Erdogan's recent remarks in which he used the term "Yezidi" instead
of "Ezidi." They believe that the word "Yezidi" holds negative
connotations in Turkey.
Aziz AlkıÅ~_, head of the Ezidi Associations Federation in Berlin said
the "prime minister looked down on Ezidi citizens" with his remarks.
He said they would call on Erdogan to end his policy in Syria, as well
as halt pressures on minorities and ethnic groups in Turkey. Noting
that the Ezidi religion is not recognized on national ID cards
and signified by an "X," AlkıÅ~_ said it made their faith seem
anti-Islamic.
'Recognition of genocide'
Azad Ordughanyan, head of the Germany Armenians Center, said they
would call on Turkey to recognize Armenian genocide allegations.
"Turkey is still denying genocide. We will renew our call for
recognition of the genocide."
The head of the Alawite Unions Federation in Cologne, Huseyin Mat,
said the Turkish government has a policy of assimilation rather than
accepting all differences. "Erdogan will tell Europe that Turkey is
a democratic country here. We will tell that this is not true."
October/30/2012
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/kurds-ezidis-to-rally-in-berlin-against-erdogan.aspx?pageID=238&nID=33527&NewsCatID=351