Murders, attacks in Istanbul's Samatya district of racist nature -
Turkish Human Rights Organization
tert.am
13:17 ¢ 26.01.13
Turkish Human Rights Organization (Ä°HD) has published a report about
the attacks on ethnic Armenians in Istanbul's Samatya district.
According to Istanbul-based Armenian-Turkish newspaper Agos, the
report stresses that the attacks are of racist nature and demanded
that police intensify its activity.
`The victims of the attacks are alike ` they are old women of Armenian
descent. It is obvious that the aim of the attack is not robbery. Old
and weak women who may easily be `unharmed' beaten and subjected to
violation,' the head of the organization Meral Cildir said.
One of the reporters present at the news conference said on the day of
the attack on Sultan Aikar the local Greek church was stoned.
The report also presents the opinions of the Armenian residents of
Samatya. `The word Armenian is being used here as a bad word. As far
as it so the attacks will continue. Today people above 80, tomorrow
30, the other day 40,' one of them said.
Another resident stressed, `When for instance a Mustafa kills an
Osman, or Ahmet, he is being viewed as a criminal and is being treated
as a criminal in jail but when one kills Hakob, or Khachatur he
becomes a hero and is being treated as a hero in jail. This is the
difference.'
The report says that Armenian residents in Samatya are facing serious
danger. `The vulnerable class of a society are old, helpless people
needing care and attention, and the attackers targeted the most
sensitive, vulnerable and painful place for Armenians,' the report
runs.
The murder was not committed for robbery. The Armenian residents of
the district are living in fear. Despite the unwillingness to accept
it, the murders and attacks are manifestations of racism and
hostility.
Turkish Human Rights Organization
tert.am
13:17 ¢ 26.01.13
Turkish Human Rights Organization (Ä°HD) has published a report about
the attacks on ethnic Armenians in Istanbul's Samatya district.
According to Istanbul-based Armenian-Turkish newspaper Agos, the
report stresses that the attacks are of racist nature and demanded
that police intensify its activity.
`The victims of the attacks are alike ` they are old women of Armenian
descent. It is obvious that the aim of the attack is not robbery. Old
and weak women who may easily be `unharmed' beaten and subjected to
violation,' the head of the organization Meral Cildir said.
One of the reporters present at the news conference said on the day of
the attack on Sultan Aikar the local Greek church was stoned.
The report also presents the opinions of the Armenian residents of
Samatya. `The word Armenian is being used here as a bad word. As far
as it so the attacks will continue. Today people above 80, tomorrow
30, the other day 40,' one of them said.
Another resident stressed, `When for instance a Mustafa kills an
Osman, or Ahmet, he is being viewed as a criminal and is being treated
as a criminal in jail but when one kills Hakob, or Khachatur he
becomes a hero and is being treated as a hero in jail. This is the
difference.'
The report says that Armenian residents in Samatya are facing serious
danger. `The vulnerable class of a society are old, helpless people
needing care and attention, and the attackers targeted the most
sensitive, vulnerable and painful place for Armenians,' the report
runs.
The murder was not committed for robbery. The Armenian residents of
the district are living in fear. Despite the unwillingness to accept
it, the murders and attacks are manifestations of racism and
hostility.