Karo Paylan Demands Explanation from Turkish Vice President Regarding Erdogan's Use of the Term 'Gyaur'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used the term "gyaur" (infidel) in a speech yesterday, targeting Christians. This was reported by Ermenihaber.am.

Karo Paylan, an Armenian MP from Turkey's opposition pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), criticized Erdogan's hate speech, deeming it unacceptable. In this regard, Paylan submitted a written inquiry to parliament demanding answers from Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay to the following questions:

1. Are you not aware that the term "gyaur" is a hate speech and has been used as an insult against your fellow citizens for generations?
2. Are you not aware that the term "gyaur" is a hateful speech that leads to hate crimes?
3. Are you aware that using hate speech as president violates social peace?
4. Will you retract the term "gyaur" and apologize?

Paylan also noted that he has been attacked multiple times as an MP using the epithet "gyaur." He stated, "I must inform you that the hate speech used by the president, which according to the Turkish Linguistic Society means 'infidel, non-Muslim, ruthless, brutal,' is absolutely unacceptable."