Turkologist: Erdogan’s tolerance is due to EU requirements

The bill on recognition of crimes against humanity introduced in the Turkish parliament will not be approved, but it will remain on the political agenda of the country, Turkologist Hakob Chakryan said at a press conference today as he commented on the controversial bill submitted by Turkish parliament deputy Ms. Sebahat Tuncel of the Party of the People’s Democracy.  

“We should keep in mind that a serious punishment was inflicted in 1990s on those who uttered the word ‘genocide’: people were sentenced and imprisoned. The fact that in Turkey, people can now speak about genocide bears evidence of tougher position and requirements of the European Union,” he said.

In his words, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s tolerance is due to EU requirements and represents a serious step.

“Although the bill will not be passed by the Turkish parliament, its discussion means progress. After it, arrests of people, in particular those intellectuals who will dare to speak in favor of the Armenian Genocide recognition, will become illogical in Turkey,” Chakryan said.

Female MP of Turkish parliament Sebahat Tuncel says that the parliament shall accept the proposal, according to which Turkish President Erdogan should  apologize to the Armenians  for the Armenian Genocide.  The bill says that Erdogan should apologize on behalf of the Republic of Turkey and then, within a year, a parliamentary commission shall be set up and provided access to all the state archives. Besides, it is proposed to declare April 24 a day of mourning, and to undo material and moral damage.