Erdogan Attempts to Intimidate Armenian Genocide Activists, Says ARF European Committee

Erdogan targets and attempts to intimidate the ARF’s committees worldwide, which have effectively fought for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide for decades using civil activism tools. According to the ARF European Committee's statement to ArmenPress, ARF European Committee Chairman Gaspar Karapetyan remarked on a nearly five-hour meeting conducted by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with his advisory body, where discussions were held about organizing pressures against civil activists fighting for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

The statement noted: “With this, Erdogan is primarily targeting and attempting to intimidate the ARF’s committees around the world that have effectively fought for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide for decades using civil activism tools.”

The ARF European Committee has issued a statement addressing European institutions, including the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, and the Council of Europe, calling for concrete actions against the anti-Armenian policies directed at genocide activists by Turkish authorities.

In this regard, ARF European Committee Chairman Gaspar Karapetyan stated: “This meeting is, in fact, a logical continuation of Erdogan’s statement from May of this year, when he threatened to fight against ‘Armenian lobbying’, which primarily includes ARF committees operating worldwide. This once again proves that, unfortunately, the denial of the Armenian Genocide and the incitement of hatred against Armenians have become state policies in Turkey.”

“Now, Erdogan’s government has officially and openly decided to implement a state policy of intimidation against those who are fighting for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide worldwide. However, the Turkish authorities should already understand that the intimidation of genocide activists has not worked in the past and will not work in the future. On the contrary, this serves as a signal to intensify our activities and further unite our efforts for the establishment of justice. This meeting, however, once again revealed the true face of Erdogan’s government and the steps it is capable of taking.”

The recognition, condemnation, and reparations for the Armenian Genocide are issues of universal justice. Turkey must confront its past. This is what dozens of parliaments around the world, including the European Parliament, are demanding from Turkey,” concluded Karapetyan.