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PAPER CHIEF EDITOR URGES LEGAL STATUS FOR ISTANBUL'S ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE
October 8, 2013 - 16:41 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The much-anticipated democratization package unveiled
by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdošan has raised the hopes
of non-Muslim groups; however, some community members have underlined
the need for more focused solutions for their decades-old concerns,
Today's Zaman said.
"The democratization package includes promising reforms and has
paved the way for more steps to be taken regarding our problems; yet,
the existing points are insufficient to address our main concerns,"
said Ara Kochunyan, editor-in-chief of the Zhamanak newspaper, an
Armenian weekly.
Commenting on the content of the package to Today's Zaman, Kochunyan
stated the main demand of the Armenian community is the provision
of a legal status for the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul. "The
democratization package does not offer a specific solution to our
problem. However, we attach importance to the continuation of the
pro-democratization environment created within the last 10 years,"
noted Kochunyan.
In late September, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdošan
unveiled a long-anticipated package of reforms designed "to strengthen
democracy and keep on track a fragile settlement process" to end the
conflict with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), according
to Today's Zaman.
He said the reform package is a critical step to stop bloodshed
in Turkey.
The most important reforms include removing restrictions of wearing
Islamic headscraves, possibility of education in mother tongue,
restoration of original names of villages, districts and provinces that
existed before 1980, sweeping changes in law on political parties,
possibility of lowering 10 percent electoral threshold in entering
Parliament, improving assembly freedom and other small rights for
religious and ethnic minorities.
Other changes were related to law on political parties. Erdošan said
parties who exceed 3 percent of votes in general elections will get
necessary state funding. According to Turkish law, parties need to
receive at least seven percent to be eligible for state funding.
Moreover, the reforms bring more freedom for citizens to become party
members. Erdošan said the package envisages lifting obstacles that
restrict citizens to become members of political parties.
Another drastic and much-expected reform is education in schools in
another language. The reforms will make it possible for students to
receive education in their mother tongue in educational facilities.
The schools will able to deliver education in languages besides the
official Turkish language, the prime minister said.
October 8, 2013 - 16:41 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The much-anticipated democratization package unveiled
by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdošan has raised the hopes
of non-Muslim groups; however, some community members have underlined
the need for more focused solutions for their decades-old concerns,
Today's Zaman said.
"The democratization package includes promising reforms and has
paved the way for more steps to be taken regarding our problems; yet,
the existing points are insufficient to address our main concerns,"
said Ara Kochunyan, editor-in-chief of the Zhamanak newspaper, an
Armenian weekly.
Commenting on the content of the package to Today's Zaman, Kochunyan
stated the main demand of the Armenian community is the provision
of a legal status for the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul. "The
democratization package does not offer a specific solution to our
problem. However, we attach importance to the continuation of the
pro-democratization environment created within the last 10 years,"
noted Kochunyan.
In late September, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdošan
unveiled a long-anticipated package of reforms designed "to strengthen
democracy and keep on track a fragile settlement process" to end the
conflict with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), according
to Today's Zaman.
He said the reform package is a critical step to stop bloodshed
in Turkey.
The most important reforms include removing restrictions of wearing
Islamic headscraves, possibility of education in mother tongue,
restoration of original names of villages, districts and provinces that
existed before 1980, sweeping changes in law on political parties,
possibility of lowering 10 percent electoral threshold in entering
Parliament, improving assembly freedom and other small rights for
religious and ethnic minorities.
Other changes were related to law on political parties. Erdošan said
parties who exceed 3 percent of votes in general elections will get
necessary state funding. According to Turkish law, parties need to
receive at least seven percent to be eligible for state funding.
Moreover, the reforms bring more freedom for citizens to become party
members. Erdošan said the package envisages lifting obstacles that
restrict citizens to become members of political parties.
Another drastic and much-expected reform is education in schools in
another language. The reforms will make it possible for students to
receive education in their mother tongue in educational facilities.
The schools will able to deliver education in languages besides the
official Turkish language, the prime minister said.