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MALATYA ARMENIANS EXPECT FROM TURKEY GENOCIDE RECOGNITION, PROPERTY RETURN AND EQUAL RIGHTS
10:44, 27 March, 2015
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, ARMENPRESS: The minorities, living in Turkey,
including Armenians, by now cannot feel full-pledged citizens of the
state, even having lived in those territories for many years. The
stereotypes of an "enemy" and a "traitor" formed towards the Armenians
make the Armenians feel alienated in the society, where they live.
Nevertheless, the positive trend to return to the own identity
continues among the Armenians, living in the historical Armenian sites
of Turkey. Armenpress had a talk with Garbis Evyapan, the Chairman of
the Union of Malatya's Armenians, whose Malatya "Hayder" organization
also carries out enormous work to not only preserve the Armenians'
identity, but also to restore the Armenian monuments.
- How many Armenians live in Malatya at present? Do they conceal
their identity or speak about it openly?
- At this moment there are about 60 Armenians in Malatya. They all
openly state that they are Armenians and do not hide their identity.
- In what state the Armenians' cultural monuments are?
- The works, directed to the security of the Armenian cemetery of
Malatya, tree planting, construction of the altar and body wash
facility, have been completed. The restoration of the two local
half-ruined churches is underway.
- Will events, devoted to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, be organized in Malatya?
- As our Union was established in Istanbul, it carries out its main
functions right here. We will take part in the events, to be held in
Istanbul. And concerning the possible commemoration events in Malatya,
the local population will decide on that.
- Do you expect that Turkey will recognize the Armenian Genocide?
- Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide. The most important
thing is that the Turkish state should constitutionally recognize
the minorities as equal citizens of the country, who have lived under
the Treaty of Lausanne for hundred years. Besides, the state should
provide an environment, where the Armenians are able to practice their
religion freely and live with their historical identity. The state
should also return the property, seized from the Armenians. It is
necessary that the state begins a special educational campaign, which
will eliminate from the people's mind the stereotypes of "revenge",
"betrayer" and "gâvur", connected with the Armenians. The people
should be explained that the Armenians and not only they, are the
key elements of the country. And only when the people, not imposed
by the state, but by their own will, begin believing these things,
most problems might be considered settled. We especially want to be
constitutionally entitled to equal citizenship.
Interview by Araks Kasyan
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/799392/malatya-armenians-expect-from-turkey-genocide-recognition-property-return-and-equal-rights.html
10:44, 27 March, 2015
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, ARMENPRESS: The minorities, living in Turkey,
including Armenians, by now cannot feel full-pledged citizens of the
state, even having lived in those territories for many years. The
stereotypes of an "enemy" and a "traitor" formed towards the Armenians
make the Armenians feel alienated in the society, where they live.
Nevertheless, the positive trend to return to the own identity
continues among the Armenians, living in the historical Armenian sites
of Turkey. Armenpress had a talk with Garbis Evyapan, the Chairman of
the Union of Malatya's Armenians, whose Malatya "Hayder" organization
also carries out enormous work to not only preserve the Armenians'
identity, but also to restore the Armenian monuments.
- How many Armenians live in Malatya at present? Do they conceal
their identity or speak about it openly?
- At this moment there are about 60 Armenians in Malatya. They all
openly state that they are Armenians and do not hide their identity.
- In what state the Armenians' cultural monuments are?
- The works, directed to the security of the Armenian cemetery of
Malatya, tree planting, construction of the altar and body wash
facility, have been completed. The restoration of the two local
half-ruined churches is underway.
- Will events, devoted to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, be organized in Malatya?
- As our Union was established in Istanbul, it carries out its main
functions right here. We will take part in the events, to be held in
Istanbul. And concerning the possible commemoration events in Malatya,
the local population will decide on that.
- Do you expect that Turkey will recognize the Armenian Genocide?
- Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide. The most important
thing is that the Turkish state should constitutionally recognize
the minorities as equal citizens of the country, who have lived under
the Treaty of Lausanne for hundred years. Besides, the state should
provide an environment, where the Armenians are able to practice their
religion freely and live with their historical identity. The state
should also return the property, seized from the Armenians. It is
necessary that the state begins a special educational campaign, which
will eliminate from the people's mind the stereotypes of "revenge",
"betrayer" and "gâvur", connected with the Armenians. The people
should be explained that the Armenians and not only they, are the
key elements of the country. And only when the people, not imposed
by the state, but by their own will, begin believing these things,
most problems might be considered settled. We especially want to be
constitutionally entitled to equal citizenship.
Interview by Araks Kasyan
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/799392/malatya-armenians-expect-from-turkey-genocide-recognition-property-return-and-equal-rights.html