Turkish defenders denounce bellicose statements
During the FIDH's 37th Congress Armenian and Turkish delegates adopted a resolution on Armenian-Turkish relations.
"We adopted the resolution as human rights advocates, not as conflicting sides," Turkish human rights activist Yusuf Alataş announced before the publication of the document.
Yavuz Önen added that the three human rights activists who were in Yerevan within the framework of the FIDH's 37th Congress, had been campaigning for human rights protection in Turkey for 25 years.
"We wanted to come to Armenia as we think Armenian-Turkish relations are periled. We wanted to unlock the doors chained by state authorities. We want to sit beside our Armenian colleagues, embrace them and think about human rights protection in our countries," he said.
The phase "Armenian Genocide" is used in the resolution in the following context.
"We urge the political parties of the government and of the opposition in Turkey and Armenia to fulfill their duties to take every necessary step to normalize relations between the two countries and societies. This includes the imminent need to implement the bilateral Protocols on the normalisation of diplomatic relations and the opening of mutual borders. Progress in this direction and the process of democratic transformation in Turkey will create a favourable environment for addressing the painful issue of the Armenian Genocide," reads the resolution.
The Turkish human rights activists refrained answering an Armenian journalist's question whether they recognise the Armenian Genocide or not.
"The question is very delicate and it can harm Armenian-Turkish relations. It does require a psychological approach. We are ready to admit historical facts but our people need time for it," said Mr. Önen.
"We denounce all forms of hostility fed by militaristic ambitions and structures among nations in the region," reads the resolution.
In reply to A1+'s question whether they condemn Azerbaijan's militaristic statements, Mr. Onen said, "We denounce all bellicose statements, including those of Azerbaijan. All border and territorial disputes lead to the violation of human rights."
"We are Hrant Dink's relatives. With Dink's murder they killed human rights and democracy in Turkey," they concluded.
