Hilda Tchoboian: EP should encourage Turks who apologized for Armenian Genocide

PanARMENIAN.Net - A new period is opening up for the two countries, said the chairperson of the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy.



"The Turkish and Armenian intellectuals, united against the lies and the denials of the genocide, for the first time call for a real reconciliation based on truth, recognition and justice," Hilda Tchoboian said. "We hail Turkish intellectuals for their courage and democratic maturity, which the European Union has the moral and political duty to support," she said, reminding that several Turkish intellectuals reacted by affirming that the "great disaster" is Genocide.



In connection with the next resolution of the European Parliament on Turkey, the European Armenian Federation thinks that even if the Parliament shows more and more indifference with the Turkish accession question, it must be clear on the genocide issue.



The Federation stresses that the European Assembly has to follow the evolution of the Turkish society, and stop supporting fixed attitudes of a Turkish administration which "draws the society downwards," the EAFJD told PanARMENIAN.Net



"The European Parliament should not drop these brave Turkish democrats who not only risk condemnations by application of article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, but also endanger their lives by openly calling for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide," concluded Hilda Tchoboian.



The online petition initiated by three scholars, Ahmet Insel, Baskin Oran and Cengiz Aktar, and a journalist, Ali Bayramoglu reads: "My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the denial of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share, I empathize with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I apologize to them."



Earlier, Armenian intellectuals sent an open letter to Turkish President Abdullah Gul calling on him to recognize the Armenian Genocide, an outrageous crime against the humanity which has no time limitation. "The historic memory of our nations is deep and restless. Recognition of the indisputable fact of the Armenian Genocide is first of all essential for the Turkish people. Relieving this burden of history, they can turn this dark page and launch a sincere dialogue for true reconciliation," the letter said.