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Garo Paylan: Istanbul-Armenians unable to elect patriarch for 10 years

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Garo Paylan

It is about ten years now that the Armenian community of Istanbul has been barred from any chances of electing its own patriarch, Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of Turkey’s Grand National Assembly, said Tuesday, commenting on the re-appointment of Archbishob Aram Ateshyan as Vicar General.

“Unfortunately, it was the Turkish authorities’ decision several years ago to install Aram Ateshyan as Vicar General . We then said we wanted to elect our patriarch,” he told Tert.am, adding that many community members sought to even stop the process by trying to contact the Turkish Government.

Paylan said he believes that the community could have taken a strong action at least this time to prevent Ateshyan’s return to his former post despite the government’s decision.

“By seizing power from the Government, you become a kind of hostage. All we need now is to derive power from the Armenian community. And the Patriarch too, must be elected by the Armenian community and derive power from it,” he added.

The politician said he treats Ateshyan as a kind of puppet in the hands of not only the Turkish Government but also defense, police and security forces. “They will use him to realize their desires,” he said.

Asked to comment on the recent developments’ possible impact on the community, Paylan noted that the local Armenians are in an atmosphere of constant fear, and very often – in the dark about the situation in the Patriarchate. “But the Armenian community needs empowerment by the Patriarchate. We need to be better organized, as this situation may potentially split the community apart,” he added.

Garo Paylan: Only democratic Turkey can recognize Armenian Genocide

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paylan-only-democratic-turkeyGaro Paylan, the Turkish-Armenian MP who recently filed a lawsuit against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has shared his concerns over the human rights situation in Turkey in an interview with Hayreniq Weekly (US-based Armenian publication).
According to the politician, who was elected to Turkey’s parliament from the People’s Democratic Party, Turkey isn’t likely to ever recognize the Armenian Genocide unless its builds a statehood anchored on the principles of democracy.

The interview, with partial abridgements, is provided below:

What do you think should be an Armenian lawmaker’s obligation in Turkey’s parliament?

My co-thinkers and I are striving towards making Turkey a country built on democratic laws. Only the Turkey governed by rules of democracy can recognize the Armenian Genocide. What happened were terrible massacres which the authorities are hiding to date. Inventing various lies and excuses, they are trying to consign the horrendous calamity to oblivion.

I have to confirm, to your surprise, that the overwhelming majority of the lawmakers in Turkey’s parliament are not aware, or rather, are misinformed, of the Armenian Genocide.

Many believe in the opposite scenario, i.e. – that we, the Armenians, used threats and exploited the local residents and even committed manslaughters.
And many parliament members are confident that this is the reality.
That mentality, of course, brings us on the nationalistic track. You can often hear Turkish parliamentarians say that the Armenians and Kurds spare no effort to undermine the Turkish state. Those people are in fear, and their allegations add fuel to the fire. And that influences the democracy building process inside countries.
The Turkish parliament currently has three members of Armenian descent. Selina Dogan of the opposition People’s Democratic Party and Margar Yesayan of President Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Democratic Party are colleagues. Do you collaborate with one another or is that possibility missing?
I have repeatedly emphasized over and over again that I am inclined to pursue transparent policies and lead a fierce battle against denial, especially when it comes to our community.
I feel on my own skin the entire responsibility and consciousness of dealing with Armenians’ affairs. As for the other two Armenian parliament members, I have known Selina Dogan for many years. She too, believes and fights for democracy. But I have told her and repeated time and again her party builds its policies on nationalistic rather than democratic principles.

 

I maintain permanent contact with Selina in matters relating to the Armenians. As for Margar Yesayan who represents Erdogan’s Justice and Development party, his factor needs to be considered from various angles. Given the party’s ideology, Yesayan never adopts a pro-Armenian stance. That’s understandable on the one hand and subject to criticism on the other.
What is the role of Azerbaijan and its lobby in Turkey’s Parliament and political life?

Azerbaijan is clearly sparing no effort to make use of Europe and trap it by repeatedly applying for material aid. On the other hand, Ankara and Baku are maintaining close ties. By operating its material aid and lobbying machinery, Azerbaijan keeps on raising the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and distorting historical facts by claiming occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia.

The Azerbaijani lobby has intensified its activities, which arouses concern. Do you establish contacts with other progressive political scientists, writers and art critics?

For example, Cem Özdemir, Co-Chairman of the German political party Alliance ’90/The Greens, whose consistent work made recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the German Bundestag possible. Or famous writers Orhan Pamuk and Elif Şafak. We were greatly interested in the developments at the German Bundestag. It was due to the MP of Turkish descent Cem Özdemir that Germany recognized the Armenian Genocide committed by its ally Turkey. Let us hope Cem Özdemir will continue his activities and afford opportunities for cooperation. On the other hand, well-known columnists and literary critics seem to be disappointing. For example, Orhan Pamuk spends most of his time in New York, while Elif Şafak has settled down in London.

In conclusion, what can you say about last June’s parliamentary elections and developments since the failed coup attempt this July?

The recent days are harder than the first post-election days last year. And the situation may even worsen. Regrettably, the West has played a major role in this grave situation. But I hope that we can continue our struggle and democracy will triumph.