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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CALLS ON TURKEY TO INVESTIGATE INTO ATTACKS ON ARMENIAN WOMEN
TERT.AM
29.01.13
Amnesty International calls on the Turkish authorities to carry out
a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the series of
attacks on elderly Armenian women in Istanbul.
In the last two months, four attacks, one of them fatal, took place
in Samatya an area historically inhabited by Armenians in central
Istanbul. All four women are Turkish citizens of Armenian origin.
The Turkish authorities have an obligation to investigate any alleged
racist and/or religious bias behind the perpetration of these crimes.
A failure to do so may amount to a violation of the European
Convention of Human Rights, ratified by Turkey, and the prohibition
of discrimination set forth by it.
Hate crimes constitute a serious form of discrimination. State
authorities have not only to refrain from discriminating themselves
but also exercise due diligence to prevent and combat discrimination
from private parties.
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.
Police insist that they are investigating the cases thoroughly.
However, Amnesty International is concerned at public statements made
by the authorities discounting the possibility of a racist motivation
to the attacks.
Amnesty International believes that the authorities must carry out
a thorough investigation into these attacks without discarding the
possibility of hate motivation from the outset and take steps to
prevent further attacks.
The incidents
In late November 2012, an 87 year-old woman was physically attacked
in the street. She was severely beaten and as a result of the attack
lost the sight in one eye.
A group of three men allegedly attempted to abduct another elderly
woman while on her way to the church on the occasion of the orthodox
Christmas on 6 January. The attackers reportedly fled after the
intervention by other church goers.
On 28 December, an 85 year-old woman was found stabbed to death in
her home. Her jewellery was stolen.
On 22 January, an 80 year-old woman was attacked and beaten as she
was returning to her home.
TERT.AM
29.01.13
Amnesty International calls on the Turkish authorities to carry out
a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the series of
attacks on elderly Armenian women in Istanbul.
In the last two months, four attacks, one of them fatal, took place
in Samatya an area historically inhabited by Armenians in central
Istanbul. All four women are Turkish citizens of Armenian origin.
The Turkish authorities have an obligation to investigate any alleged
racist and/or religious bias behind the perpetration of these crimes.
A failure to do so may amount to a violation of the European
Convention of Human Rights, ratified by Turkey, and the prohibition
of discrimination set forth by it.
Hate crimes constitute a serious form of discrimination. State
authorities have not only to refrain from discriminating themselves
but also exercise due diligence to prevent and combat discrimination
from private parties.
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.
Police insist that they are investigating the cases thoroughly.
However, Amnesty International is concerned at public statements made
by the authorities discounting the possibility of a racist motivation
to the attacks.
Amnesty International believes that the authorities must carry out
a thorough investigation into these attacks without discarding the
possibility of hate motivation from the outset and take steps to
prevent further attacks.
The incidents
In late November 2012, an 87 year-old woman was physically attacked
in the street. She was severely beaten and as a result of the attack
lost the sight in one eye.
A group of three men allegedly attempted to abduct another elderly
woman while on her way to the church on the occasion of the orthodox
Christmas on 6 January. The attackers reportedly fled after the
intervention by other church goers.
On 28 December, an 85 year-old woman was found stabbed to death in
her home. Her jewellery was stolen.
On 22 January, an 80 year-old woman was attacked and beaten as she
was returning to her home.