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Assyrians, Turks in Swedish Municipality on Opposite Ends Regarding
Genocide Memorial
Assyrian International News Agency
2014-01-26 21:51 GMT
Stockholm (AINA) -- Tensions are rising in the Swedish municipality of
Botkyrka, south of Stockholm, as Assyrian groups push for a memorial
site for the victims of the Turkish genocide of Assyrians in World War
One, known as Seyfo (sword) in Assyrian. Turkish groups oppose the
initiative, saying they feel offended and stigmatized.
The Genocide claimed the lives of 750,000 Assyrians (75%), as well as
1.5 million Armenians and 500,000 Pontic Greeks.
In an article in the January 20 issue of Svenska Dagbladet, two
Swedish journalists revealed a letter sent by a former senior official
at the Turkish embassy in Stockholm instructing the Turkish
associations in the municipality to object the memorial. "The embassy
can't become publicly involved but its your obligation to object it,"
the letter said.
"This proves that Assyrians are still being oppressed by the Turkish
state and are not left alone even in a remote country like Sweden,"
said Afram Yakoub, chairman of the Assyrian Federation of Sweden.
"This should make it clear to the council of the municipality that the
true opponent of the memorial is a foreign state trying to impose its
will and not some local Turkish associations."
Assyrian organizations are preparing a demonstration in front of the
municipality hall on Thursday to show their support and make their
voices heard. "We are united and determined to speak up for our right
to have the memorial," said Fehmi Barkarmo from Seyfocenter, an
organization working to increase awareness about the genocide of
Assyrians.
A decision by the municipality council is expected within two weeks.
Genocide Memorial
Assyrian International News Agency
2014-01-26 21:51 GMT
Stockholm (AINA) -- Tensions are rising in the Swedish municipality of
Botkyrka, south of Stockholm, as Assyrian groups push for a memorial
site for the victims of the Turkish genocide of Assyrians in World War
One, known as Seyfo (sword) in Assyrian. Turkish groups oppose the
initiative, saying they feel offended and stigmatized.
The Genocide claimed the lives of 750,000 Assyrians (75%), as well as
1.5 million Armenians and 500,000 Pontic Greeks.
In an article in the January 20 issue of Svenska Dagbladet, two
Swedish journalists revealed a letter sent by a former senior official
at the Turkish embassy in Stockholm instructing the Turkish
associations in the municipality to object the memorial. "The embassy
can't become publicly involved but its your obligation to object it,"
the letter said.
"This proves that Assyrians are still being oppressed by the Turkish
state and are not left alone even in a remote country like Sweden,"
said Afram Yakoub, chairman of the Assyrian Federation of Sweden.
"This should make it clear to the council of the municipality that the
true opponent of the memorial is a foreign state trying to impose its
will and not some local Turkish associations."
Assyrian organizations are preparing a demonstration in front of the
municipality hall on Thursday to show their support and make their
voices heard. "We are united and determined to speak up for our right
to have the memorial," said Fehmi Barkarmo from Seyfocenter, an
organization working to increase awareness about the genocide of
Assyrians.
A decision by the municipality council is expected within two weeks.