DİYARBAKİR, Turkey (A.W.)—Hundreds gathered to commemorate the Armenian Genocide in Diyarbakir on April 24.
The commemoration began with a march from Mardinkapı Street to the Surp Sarkis Armenian Church, where the leading pro-Kurdish party’s (HDP) Co-Chair Selehattin Demirtaş, Diyarbakir Mayor Gültan Kışanak, Diyarbakir Bar Association Chair Tahir Elçi, Human Rights Association Diyarbakir chapter Chair Raci Bilici, and Director of Gomidas Institute Ara Sarafian spoke.
Speaking in Armenian, Sarafian noted that as the Turkish state’s denial continues, Kurds have taken meaningful steps in the right direction.
Selahattin Demirtas, co-leader of the left-wing pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party, joins the commemoration (photo: Gulisor Akkum)
Demirtaş challenged those who question the Armenian Genocide. He noted that when it’s expedient, the Turkish government attacks the Committee of Union and Progress, but when it comes to the Armenian Genocide, it becomes the Committee of Union and Progress.
Kışanak noted that Armenians chose the forget-me-not flower as a symbol of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, adding, “we will never forget it, and we are ready any time to stand with you in your pain.”
Elçi, in turn, called on Turkey and the world to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Bilici demanded an apology and reparations for the Armenian Genocide from the Turkish state.
The evening before, Raffi Bedrosyan gave a piano recital at the Surp Giragos church in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.
Diyarbakir Mayor Gültan Kışanak at the commemoration (photo: Gulisor Akkum)
A scene from the commemoration (photo: Gulisor Akkum)
A scene from Raffi Bedrosyan’s recital at Surp Giragos church (photo: Gulisor Akkum)
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