"They Attacked Me, Kicked Me in the Head": Pailan on Recent Events in Turkey

The Armenian-origin member of the Turkish Parliament, Karo Pailan, stated in an interview with Arti Gercek: "The absence of Armenians in our candidate lists is certainly a serious shortcoming for my party. After decades of silence, Armenians have become more visible in the political arena over the last 20 years. I was also one of the recent manifestations of this visibility."

During the conversation, he discussed his experiences as a parliament member over two terms, the Armenian-Turkish relations, and discussions surrounding the Armenian Genocide. Pailan also talked about raising the issue of the Armenian Genocide in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey: "Of course, I made an effort to speak about Armenian issues in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, but the resistance continued during this brutal period. My grandmother, Siranush, who fell victim to the Armenian Genocide, was in the house where I was born. My aim in parliament was to celebrate my grandmother's spirit. I was unable to achieve that. This justice will definitely heal us. I tried to explain that the justice we find for our grandmothers would also be good for the larger society. That did not happen. Dealing with issues like the Armenian question first requires conscience, and then courage. Unfortunately, this eight-year period was one of those times when we were far from conscience and courage in politics,” said Pailan.

He also spoke about the threats and attacks he faced: "I was physically subjected to lynching in the commission where discussions about immunity took place. Eight to ten parliament members attacked me directly targeting me, saying 'the Armenian is here, Karo is here.' They kicked me in the head, resulting in brain injuries. The second lynching trial was not physical. Like every year, last year on April 24, I presented a bill on the Armenian Genocide in parliament. I was subjected to a political lynching initiated by Meral Akşener (the leader of the opposition Good Party), followed by Erdoğan, Bahçeli, and the racist mob. I went through a period when I was lynched by the media for fifteen days."

Discussing the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations, he indicated that he has worked towards this goal for years. "Despite the constructive attitude of Pashinyan's government and certain confidence-building measures, we have not been able to open the Turkey-Armenia border closed for thirty years. There is a desire to first open the border for citizens of third countries in early June. I am eagerly waiting for this step. After the earthquake in Turkey, rescue teams and passenger vehicles came from Armenia. The border was opened for humanitarian aid after thirty years. I played an active role in this. We have mostly broken down the prejudices; now is the time to open the border, and I will continue to strive for that, even if I am not a parliament member anymore.”

Talking about the Armenian diaspora, Pailan noted: "We have a wound, and the only place where our wound can be healed is Turkey. This great atrocity, guilt, genocide was committed on this land, and we can only find justice on this land. For a century, we have been unable to secure justice by pressuring Turkey from the outside. I believe this issue can only be resolved in Turkey. I am fighting for that. The Armenian Diaspora should also view it from this perspective. I am confident that only a democratic Turkey can overcome the Armenian Genocide."