A human being dismissing objective facts of history must be devoid of dignity, a Turkish writer publisher said today, condemning his government’s policy of Armenian Genocide denial.
At a news conference in Yerevan, Zeynel Abidin Kyzykyaprak also addressed the recent March of Justice (organized by the opposition People’s Democratic Party’s leader), describing it as an unprecedented event in the country’s history.
“The People’s Democratic Party more than lived up to its potential. I characterize that party’s March for Justice as a real victory,” he said.
Asked by Tert.am whether Turkey now sees any alternative to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the publisher said he knows that the problem is real for the opposition “which is still undecided about choosing a leader”.
Asked to comment on the recently proposed bill envisaging sanctions over genocide remarks in the Turkish parliament, Kyzykyaprak replied, “It is practically difficult to predetermine anything in Turkey, but I don’t think anything of the kind will be signed into law. The National Movement party, which initiated the [draft] law, scolds the Justice and Development party every time, calling for a protection of national interests. But I don’t think Justice and Development will take that step to give [the bill] a legal effect,” he said, noting that no legal act in the Turkish legislation bans the use of “Armenian Genocide” in essence.
“A human being denying true happenings of history must be devoid of dignity. If you are a state in the world civilization, you must, first of all, deserve respect,” the publisher added.