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Capitol Hill protest spotlights anti-Armenian hate crimes in Turkey
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/02/02/capitol-hill-protest-spotlights-anti-armenian-hate-crimes-in-turkey/
13:00 02.02.2013
Armenian American youth - their mouths symbolically covered with red
tape - held a silent protest yesterday, calling on Congress to reject
Turkey's gag-rule on U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, citing
the recent ethnically-motivated attacks against elderly Armenian women
in Istanbul as the latest example of the dangerous atmosphere created
by Ankara's denials and ongoing demonization of Armenians.
The demonstration, held in front of the Dirksen Senate Office
Building, was organized by Armenian Student Association (ASA) members
from the across the U.S. along with the Washington, DC `Ani' chapter
of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Ani chapter and other local
youth, to coincide with the nationwide `Stain of Denial' campus
protests organized by the All-ASA and supported by the AYF and ARF
Shant Student organizations.
`It was of great importance to make our voices heard and educate the
American society about the existing anti-Armenian sentiment in Turkey,
which carries its legacy from the Armenian Genocide of 1915,'
explained BloomfieldCollege honors student, Armen Sahakyan, an
organizer of the event. `We, as the Armenian youth, will keep our
Cause alive for as long as our demands aren't met by the denialist
Turkish government.'
UCLA ASA Public Relations Director Knarik Gasparyan, who co-organized
the event, explained that the effort attracted Armenian and
non-Armenian youth alike, many in WashingtonDC for Capitol Hill
internships or semester programs through their colleges and
universities. `I want to highlight the fact that many non-Armenian
students participated in today's protest, standing in solidarity with
us and supporting our efforts to shed light on the horrific hate
crimes and human rights violations in Turkey,' explained Gasparyan.
`This once again comes to prove that the cause we fight for and the
recognition of the Genocide is not simply an Armenian issue, but of
concern to all humanity.'
Protesters carried photos and spotlighted four widely publicized
attacks against elderly Armenian women, one fatal, which have taken
place over the past two months, in the historically Armenian-inhabited
neighborhood of Samatya, in central Istanbul. On Dec. 28, an
85-year-old Armenian woman was repeatedly stabbed and killed in her
home, with assailants carving a cross on her chest. Other attacks
include the Nov. 2012 beating of an 87-year-old Armenian woman, and a
failed attempt to abduct an elderly Armenian woman on Jan. 6.
According to Turkish news outlet, Bianet, the latest incident took
place on Jan. 22, when 83-year-old Sultan Aykar was attacked and
repeatedly kicked until neighbors heard her screams and rushed to
assist her. Aykar lost sight in one eye because of the brutal
beating.
The beatings sparked a sharp response from Amnesty International
earlier this week, which called on `Turkish authorities to carry out a
prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the series of
attacks on elderly Armenian women in Istanbul.' The January 28th
statement stressed that `Hate crimes constitute a serious form of
discrimination... It is regrettable that Turkish legislation does not
foresee any legislative and policy measures ensuring that hate motives
are systematically and thoroughly investigated and duly taken into
account in the prosecution and sentencing.'
Questions regarding a government cover-up of the attacks abound, as
Turkish authorities attempt to downplay the crimes. `The incident was
inspired by robbery, there were no racial motives. Be sure we will
find the perpetrators. Good night,' tweeted Istanbul Governor Huseyin
Avni Mutlu to his 100,000 followers. This and similar statements
prompted Amnesty International to express `concern at public
statements made by the authorities discounting the possibility of a
racist motivation to the attacks.' Meanwhile, the Turkish Human
Rights Association stated categorically that `the attacks were carried
out with racist motives,' according to a January 28th Economist
article, `Turkey's Armenians: The Ghosts of 1915,' referencing the
legacy of the Armenian Genocide and its denial.
AYF Washington `Ani' Chapter chairwoman Narineh Abrahamian explained,
`People around the world must understand that these brutal
anti-Armenian attacks are the modern day manifestation of the very
type of intolerance that led to the Armenian Genocide. Over the past
two months in Turkey, four innocent elderly Armenian women were
assaulted, and in one case, brutally murdered. This is a significant
example of hate that is fostered by the Turkish government's continued
campaign of Genocide denial.'
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/02/02/capitol-hill-protest-spotlights-anti-armenian-hate-crimes-in-turkey/
13:00 02.02.2013
Armenian American youth - their mouths symbolically covered with red
tape - held a silent protest yesterday, calling on Congress to reject
Turkey's gag-rule on U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, citing
the recent ethnically-motivated attacks against elderly Armenian women
in Istanbul as the latest example of the dangerous atmosphere created
by Ankara's denials and ongoing demonization of Armenians.
The demonstration, held in front of the Dirksen Senate Office
Building, was organized by Armenian Student Association (ASA) members
from the across the U.S. along with the Washington, DC `Ani' chapter
of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Ani chapter and other local
youth, to coincide with the nationwide `Stain of Denial' campus
protests organized by the All-ASA and supported by the AYF and ARF
Shant Student organizations.
`It was of great importance to make our voices heard and educate the
American society about the existing anti-Armenian sentiment in Turkey,
which carries its legacy from the Armenian Genocide of 1915,'
explained BloomfieldCollege honors student, Armen Sahakyan, an
organizer of the event. `We, as the Armenian youth, will keep our
Cause alive for as long as our demands aren't met by the denialist
Turkish government.'
UCLA ASA Public Relations Director Knarik Gasparyan, who co-organized
the event, explained that the effort attracted Armenian and
non-Armenian youth alike, many in WashingtonDC for Capitol Hill
internships or semester programs through their colleges and
universities. `I want to highlight the fact that many non-Armenian
students participated in today's protest, standing in solidarity with
us and supporting our efforts to shed light on the horrific hate
crimes and human rights violations in Turkey,' explained Gasparyan.
`This once again comes to prove that the cause we fight for and the
recognition of the Genocide is not simply an Armenian issue, but of
concern to all humanity.'
Protesters carried photos and spotlighted four widely publicized
attacks against elderly Armenian women, one fatal, which have taken
place over the past two months, in the historically Armenian-inhabited
neighborhood of Samatya, in central Istanbul. On Dec. 28, an
85-year-old Armenian woman was repeatedly stabbed and killed in her
home, with assailants carving a cross on her chest. Other attacks
include the Nov. 2012 beating of an 87-year-old Armenian woman, and a
failed attempt to abduct an elderly Armenian woman on Jan. 6.
According to Turkish news outlet, Bianet, the latest incident took
place on Jan. 22, when 83-year-old Sultan Aykar was attacked and
repeatedly kicked until neighbors heard her screams and rushed to
assist her. Aykar lost sight in one eye because of the brutal
beating.
The beatings sparked a sharp response from Amnesty International
earlier this week, which called on `Turkish authorities to carry out a
prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the series of
attacks on elderly Armenian women in Istanbul.' The January 28th
statement stressed that `Hate crimes constitute a serious form of
discrimination... It is regrettable that Turkish legislation does not
foresee any legislative and policy measures ensuring that hate motives
are systematically and thoroughly investigated and duly taken into
account in the prosecution and sentencing.'
Questions regarding a government cover-up of the attacks abound, as
Turkish authorities attempt to downplay the crimes. `The incident was
inspired by robbery, there were no racial motives. Be sure we will
find the perpetrators. Good night,' tweeted Istanbul Governor Huseyin
Avni Mutlu to his 100,000 followers. This and similar statements
prompted Amnesty International to express `concern at public
statements made by the authorities discounting the possibility of a
racist motivation to the attacks.' Meanwhile, the Turkish Human
Rights Association stated categorically that `the attacks were carried
out with racist motives,' according to a January 28th Economist
article, `Turkey's Armenians: The Ghosts of 1915,' referencing the
legacy of the Armenian Genocide and its denial.
AYF Washington `Ani' Chapter chairwoman Narineh Abrahamian explained,
`People around the world must understand that these brutal
anti-Armenian attacks are the modern day manifestation of the very
type of intolerance that led to the Armenian Genocide. Over the past
two months in Turkey, four innocent elderly Armenian women were
assaulted, and in one case, brutally murdered. This is a significant
example of hate that is fostered by the Turkish government's continued
campaign of Genocide denial.'