Armenian News - A Topalian... Hostile Baku Games, Church Award, Football, Turkish Elections
Link to FM Program on Armenian Music
(with an extensive range of music)
Resonance FM 104.4 (London) "Clear Spot" program on Armenian
Resonance FM 104.4 (London) "Clear Spot" program on Armenian
Music, presented by Diana Mavroleon and Nouritza Matossian with
guest Hratch Tchilingirian. The story of rich Armenian music which
has not only survived the state-implemented genocide of the
Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during WWI, but has defiantly
flourished into the 21 st century. Broadcast live on 11 June 2015
(8-9pm) and rebroadcast on 12 June 2015 (9-10 am).
http://oxbridgepartners.com/hratch/index.php/broadcasts/419-resonance-fm-armenian-music
http://oxbridgepartners.com/hratch/index.php/broadcasts/419-resonance-fm-armenian-music
Unwelcome: Armenian athletes get booed at during Baku Games opening
13.06.15
Armenian athletes got a hostile reception from the crowd during the
opening ceremony for the first-ever European Games in Baku,
Azerbaijan, on Friday.
Tens of thousands of spectators at the Olympic Stadium in the
Azerbaijani capital booed and hissed at the Armenian sports delegation
led by Hrachya Rostomyan, secretary-general of the National Olympic
Committee of Armenia (NOCA).
A total of 25 Armenian athletes are due to compete in six sports
(sambo martial arts, shooting, judo, wrestling, boxing, and taekwondo)
at the Games that will be held through June 28.
Since the late 1980s Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a
bitter conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. More than 30,000 people were
killed in the Armenian-Azerbaijani war in 1992-1994. Despite the
current ceasefire soldiers on both sides continue to lose their lives
cross-border skirmishes.
The NOCA made the decision to send athletes to Baku after
representatives of the International and European Olympic committees
as well as the government of Azerbaijan provided security guarantees
for them.
Some leading athletes, including world wrestling champions Arsen
Julfalakyan and Artur Alexanyan, decided to skip the Games, officially
explaining their decisions by the need to train for the world
championships due in September.
Many in Armenia and its worldwide Diaspora have also criticized the
country's sporting community for its decision to send athletes to the
Games that are widely viewed as a means for the Azerbaijani
authoritarian regime to promote its international image.
The Friday ceremony in Baku hosted by Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev and his wife and chairwoman of the organizing committee
Mehriban Alyeva was attended by a number of world leaders, including
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir
Putin, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, and others.
Agence France Presse
June 12, 2015 Friday 5:17 PM GMT
Sports: Azeris jeer Armenian delegation at European Games
BAKU, June 12 2015
Azerbaijan spectators gave the small Armenian delegation a hostile
reception when they entered the Olympic Stadium in Baku for the lavish
opening ceremony of the inaugural European Games on Friday.
The two Caucasus countries have been locked in conflict since a bloody
war in the early 1990s following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
The decision by the Armenians to compete was a considerable diplomatic
coup for European Olympic Committee president Pat Hickey who laboured
long and hard to persuade them to come.
He even earned praise from a European parliamentarian for managing the
feat as she had failed to even get their diplomatic representatives to
meet in her office after years of trying.
The Armenia team had been anticipating a 'warm' welcome and they duly
got it as their delegation -- seemingly without athletes as it
comprised elderly looking, grey-haired men -- was jeered.
Some spectators chanted 'Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan' and brandished the
national flag.
Their enmity dates back to the early part of the 20th century before
being cut short by them becoming part of the Soviet Union.
However, once the Soviet Union disappeared, violence reared its head
again and Yerevan-backed ethnic Armenian separatists seized control of
Karabakh during the 1990s' conflict that left some 30,000 dead.
Despite years of negotiations, the two countries have not signed a
final peace deal following a shaky 1994 truce, and clashes have
intensified over the past year along the Karabakh frontline.
The predominantly Armenian-populated region is internationally
recognised as part of Azerbaijan.
13.06.15
Armenian athletes got a hostile reception from the crowd during the
opening ceremony for the first-ever European Games in Baku,
Azerbaijan, on Friday.
Tens of thousands of spectators at the Olympic Stadium in the
Azerbaijani capital booed and hissed at the Armenian sports delegation
led by Hrachya Rostomyan, secretary-general of the National Olympic
Committee of Armenia (NOCA).
A total of 25 Armenian athletes are due to compete in six sports
(sambo martial arts, shooting, judo, wrestling, boxing, and taekwondo)
at the Games that will be held through June 28.
Since the late 1980s Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a
bitter conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. More than 30,000 people were
killed in the Armenian-Azerbaijani war in 1992-1994. Despite the
current ceasefire soldiers on both sides continue to lose their lives
cross-border skirmishes.
The NOCA made the decision to send athletes to Baku after
representatives of the International and European Olympic committees
as well as the government of Azerbaijan provided security guarantees
for them.
Some leading athletes, including world wrestling champions Arsen
Julfalakyan and Artur Alexanyan, decided to skip the Games, officially
explaining their decisions by the need to train for the world
championships due in September.
Many in Armenia and its worldwide Diaspora have also criticized the
country's sporting community for its decision to send athletes to the
Games that are widely viewed as a means for the Azerbaijani
authoritarian regime to promote its international image.
The Friday ceremony in Baku hosted by Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev and his wife and chairwoman of the organizing committee
Mehriban Alyeva was attended by a number of world leaders, including
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir
Putin, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, and others.
Agence France Presse
June 12, 2015 Friday 5:17 PM GMT
Sports: Azeris jeer Armenian delegation at European Games
BAKU, June 12 2015
Azerbaijan spectators gave the small Armenian delegation a hostile
reception when they entered the Olympic Stadium in Baku for the lavish
opening ceremony of the inaugural European Games on Friday.
The two Caucasus countries have been locked in conflict since a bloody
war in the early 1990s following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
The decision by the Armenians to compete was a considerable diplomatic
coup for European Olympic Committee president Pat Hickey who laboured
long and hard to persuade them to come.
He even earned praise from a European parliamentarian for managing the
feat as she had failed to even get their diplomatic representatives to
meet in her office after years of trying.
The Armenia team had been anticipating a 'warm' welcome and they duly
got it as their delegation -- seemingly without athletes as it
comprised elderly looking, grey-haired men -- was jeered.
Some spectators chanted 'Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan' and brandished the
national flag.
Their enmity dates back to the early part of the 20th century before
being cut short by them becoming part of the Soviet Union.
However, once the Soviet Union disappeared, violence reared its head
again and Yerevan-backed ethnic Armenian separatists seized control of
Karabakh during the 1990s' conflict that left some 30,000 dead.
Despite years of negotiations, the two countries have not signed a
final peace deal following a shaky 1994 truce, and clashes have
intensified over the past year along the Karabakh frontline.
The predominantly Armenian-populated region is internationally
recognised as part of Azerbaijan.
Agence France Presse
Sports: Patriotic Azeri crowd fail to heed Clegg plea
Baku, June 13 2015
Armenia's 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Greco-Roman wrestler Roman
Amoyan left the Baku arena bloodied, beaten and with the Azerbaijan
crowd -- his country's bitter enemies -- booing and giving him the
thumbs down sign on Saturday after his 59 kilogramme bronze medal
play-off.
The spectators -- who had been called upon earlier in the day by
European Games chief operating officer Simon Clegg to put historic
disagreements aside and show their appreciation of the athletes --
could not resist rubbing in the humiliation after he was outclassed by
Azeri opponent Elman Mukhtarov.
Although the arena was not filled to capacity the crowd made their
feelings clear from the start and booed even when the 31-year-old --
who had been seen as a favourite for gold -- received medical
attention for a head wound he suffered when Mukhtarov's chin connected
with it.
Amoyan -- a three-time world minor medallist and double European
champion -- was so disappointed he just hopped on the team bus to
return to the athlete's village refusing to impart his feelings.
Clegg -- an integral part of the successful London bid for the 2012
Olympics -- had expressed his hopes that there would not be a repeat
of the hostile reception given to Armenia at the lavish opening
ceremony on Friday.
"We hope people will appreciate athletic performances irrespective of
which country competes," said the 55-year-old Clegg.
Even those who are of Armenian origin but have changed nationality are
fearful of what awaits them.
Naturalised French wrestler Evrik Nikogosyan told AFP he expected the
worst when he competes on Sunday in the 75kg category of Greco-Roman
wrestling.
"They will scream at me, that is normal," he said.
"But I am fearful maybe they will throw things at me. We're not here
to insult them, we are just here to compete," added the 29-year-old,
who generally has not found the experience so far, apart from at the
airport where his passport was taken away for several minutes, that
bad.
The two Caucasus countries have been locked in conflict since a bloody
war in the early 1990s following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
Clegg, one of British sport's most experienced administrators, said
the fact Armenia were at the Games at all was an achievement in
itself.
"Bearing in mind the difficulties between the two countries it
demonstrates the power of sport that Armenia is here participating,"
said Clegg.
"I recognise there were some reactions from elements of the public to
the marching of certain delegations.
"But we have spent some time looking at a range of scenarios," added
the 55-year-old.
The decision by the Armenians to compete was a considerable diplomatic
coup for European Olympic Committee president Pat Hickey, who laboured
long and hard to persuade them to come.
Azerbaijan and Armenia's enmity dates back to the early part of the
20th century before being cut short by them becoming part of the
Soviet Union.
However, once the Soviet Union disappeared, violence reared its head
again and Yerevan-backed ethnic Armenian separatists seized control of
Nagorny Karabakh during the 1990s conflict that left some 30,000 dead.
Despite years of negotiations, the two countries have not signed a
final peace deal following a shaky 1994 truce, and clashes have
intensified over the past year along the Karabakh frontline.
The predominantly Armenian-populated region is internationally
recognised as part of Azerbaijan.
Baku, whose military spending exceeds Armenia's entire state budget,
has threatened to take back the disputed territory by force if
negotiations fail to yield results.
Backed militarily by Russia, Armenia says it could crush any offensive.
EuroSport, UK
European-Armenian Arutyunyan heckled as misses wrestling gold
June 14 2015
Armenian Migran Arutyunyan failed to win his nation's first European
Games gold medal, losing in the final of the men's 66kg Greco-Roman
wrestling, much to the delight of a vociferous Azeri crowd on Sunday.
Silver medallist Arutyunyan was subjected to a hostile reception from
home spectators who chanted 'Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan' and cheered
wildly for his Russian opponent and gold medallist Artem Surkov
throughout an electric bout.
Relations between neighbours Azerbaijan and Armenia have been
stretched for decades due to a war and disputes over the
Nagorno-Karabakh region following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
Arutyunyan's compatriot Maksim Manukyan also fell short in the bronze
medal bout for the men's 85kg event, losing in another highly-charged
affair against Turkey's Metehan Basar.
Both Arutyunyan and Manukyan had enraged the crowd earlier by beating
home favourites on their way to the latter stages before quickly
disappearing into the safety of the changing rooms to escape the
cacophony of noise.
"It is clear the judges were influenced by the public," Arutyunyan
told reporters. "No matter, it is what I expected before I came here.
It was very difficult for me to focus with all the pressure that was
on me.
"However, it is very important for my country that we are here, each
victory (in the preceding rounds) was important and an enormous amount
is expected of us back home."
Around 30,000 people were killed during the conflict between Armenia
and Azerbaijan and though a ceasefire was called in 1994, fighting has
broken out sporadically since.
On Saturday, Games chief Simon Clegg told reporters the events
organisers were aware that anti-Armenian feeling would run high but
said they were well prepared for any eventuality.
Armenian athletes had been loudly booed and jeered during the opening
ceremony of the inaugural European Games in Baku, which run from June
12 to June 28
European-Armenian Arutyunyan heckled as misses wrestling gold
June 14 2015
Armenian Migran Arutyunyan failed to win his nation's first European
Games gold medal, losing in the final of the men's 66kg Greco-Roman
wrestling, much to the delight of a vociferous Azeri crowd on Sunday.
Silver medallist Arutyunyan was subjected to a hostile reception from
home spectators who chanted 'Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan' and cheered
wildly for his Russian opponent and gold medallist Artem Surkov
throughout an electric bout.
Relations between neighbours Azerbaijan and Armenia have been
stretched for decades due to a war and disputes over the
Nagorno-Karabakh region following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
Arutyunyan's compatriot Maksim Manukyan also fell short in the bronze
medal bout for the men's 85kg event, losing in another highly-charged
affair against Turkey's Metehan Basar.
Both Arutyunyan and Manukyan had enraged the crowd earlier by beating
home favourites on their way to the latter stages before quickly
disappearing into the safety of the changing rooms to escape the
cacophony of noise.
"It is clear the judges were influenced by the public," Arutyunyan
told reporters. "No matter, it is what I expected before I came here.
It was very difficult for me to focus with all the pressure that was
on me.
"However, it is very important for my country that we are here, each
victory (in the preceding rounds) was important and an enormous amount
is expected of us back home."
Around 30,000 people were killed during the conflict between Armenia
and Azerbaijan and though a ceasefire was called in 1994, fighting has
broken out sporadically since.
On Saturday, Games chief Simon Clegg told reporters the events
organisers were aware that anti-Armenian feeling would run high but
said they were well prepared for any eventuality.
Armenian athletes had been loudly booed and jeered during the opening
ceremony of the inaugural European Games in Baku, which run from June
12 to June 28
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Armenian church gets EU Prize for cultural heritage
June 12 2015
ISTANBUL
The winners of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa
Nostra Awards 2015 were celebrated during a high-profile event at Oslo
City Hall on June 11.
The Armenian Church of Surp Giragos in Turkey's southeastern province
of Diyarbakir received the award in the conservation category.
`It was the demonstration of local support which particularly
impressed the jury in this case. The effort to restore the main church
of the Armenians in Diyarbakır, after the exile of its people, is an
outstanding act of reconciliation for the city and its citizens,' said
jury members in a statement.
The church was originally built in 1376 and restored in 2011.The
project's restoration efforts focused on the church's roof, bell tower
and interior furnishings, thanks to archival research. The restoration
was also carried out with the help of the Armenian community, which,
according to the jury, `contributed immensely to peace, reconciliation
and the improved social integration of its people, as well as
attracting visiting Armenians from all over the world.'
The ceremony was co-hosted by Tibor Navracsics, the European
commissioner for education, culture, youth and sport, and Denis de
Kergorlay, the executive president of Europa Nostra, on behalf of the
organization's president, Plácido Domingo, who had to cancel his
attendance due to family circumstances. He sent a special message to
congratulate the 30 winners.
The entire ceremony was live streamed on the Europa Nostra's YouTube channel.
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Ronaldo nets 3, Portugal beats Armenia 3-2 in Euro qualifier
June 13 2015
YEREVAN, Armenia ' Cristiano Ronaldo's hat trick gave 10-man Portugal
a 3-2 win at Armenia in a 2016 European Championship qualifier on
Saturday.
Marcos Pizzelli scored from a free kick for Armenia in the 14th
minute, but Ronaldo converted a penalty to level before the half-hour
mark
The Ballon d'Or holder then added two more goals in the 55th and 58th
to secure victory and keep Portugal top of Group I.
Portugal's Tiago Cardoso was sent off with a second yellow card in the
62nd, and Hrayr Mkoyan scored the hosts' second goal 10 minutes later.
Portugal tops the group with 12 points, while Armenia was left in last
place with one.
Denmark, second with seven points, hosts Serbia later. Albania also
has seven points with a game to play.
Armenia went ahead through their only shot on target in the first half
when midfielder Pizzelli struck home a free kick from 25 meters
(yards) out.
But Ronaldo didn't waste his chance to pull the visitors level in the
28th, firing in a penalty kick after Henrikh Mkhitaryan fouled Joao
Moutinho.
Portugal toiled the rest of the way to halftime and only mustered a
shot by Fabio Coentrao, which was saved by goalkeeper Roman Berezovski
a minute before the interval.
Ronaldo then scored two more ' the second goal coming from outside the
box' to give Portugal the cushion it needed after Mkoyan scored a
rebound from Rui Patricio's save.
Today's Zaman, Turkey
Parliament reshaped by minority deputies, creating hope
Ronaldo nets 3, Portugal beats Armenia 3-2 in Euro qualifier
June 13 2015
YEREVAN, Armenia ' Cristiano Ronaldo's hat trick gave 10-man Portugal
a 3-2 win at Armenia in a 2016 European Championship qualifier on
Saturday.
Marcos Pizzelli scored from a free kick for Armenia in the 14th
minute, but Ronaldo converted a penalty to level before the half-hour
mark
The Ballon d'Or holder then added two more goals in the 55th and 58th
to secure victory and keep Portugal top of Group I.
Portugal's Tiago Cardoso was sent off with a second yellow card in the
62nd, and Hrayr Mkoyan scored the hosts' second goal 10 minutes later.
Portugal tops the group with 12 points, while Armenia was left in last
place with one.
Denmark, second with seven points, hosts Serbia later. Albania also
has seven points with a game to play.
Armenia went ahead through their only shot on target in the first half
when midfielder Pizzelli struck home a free kick from 25 meters
(yards) out.
But Ronaldo didn't waste his chance to pull the visitors level in the
28th, firing in a penalty kick after Henrikh Mkhitaryan fouled Joao
Moutinho.
Portugal toiled the rest of the way to halftime and only mustered a
shot by Fabio Coentrao, which was saved by goalkeeper Roman Berezovski
a minute before the interval.
Ronaldo then scored two more ' the second goal coming from outside the
box' to give Portugal the cushion it needed after Mkoyan scored a
rebound from Rui Patricio's save.
Today's Zaman, Turkey
Parliament reshaped by minority deputies, creating hope
June 14 2015
MUHSÄ°N KARAGÃ`LLE / ANKARA
The unofficial results of the long-awaited Parliamentary election that
took place last Sunday, June 7 have revealed the new shape of
Parliament for the 25th legislative term, with three deputies
representing Turkey's minority groups entering Parliament.
The Armenian community in Turkey has not been directly represented in
Parliament since 1964, when Berc Sahak Turan's term in the
then-Turkish Senate ended. For the first time in 51 years, Armenian
deputies will represent Turkey's most fragile minority group. More
interestingly, three of the four parties that will be represented in
Parliament will have an Armenian deputy, according to the unofficial
final results of the election.
Talking to Sunday's Zaman, Pakrat Estukyan, a prominent journalist
with the Agos weekly, Turkey's leading newspaper for the Armenian
community, said that `[The high number of Armenian deputies] will
surely have a positive effect on our community. It is precious [for
us] in terms of morale, first of all; we will see in time whether
their [the deputies'] actions will also have positive impact [on our
community].'
Karabet Garo Paylan, who was elected as a deputy for the Peoples'
Democratic Party (HDP) representing Ä°stanbul, is an important Armenian
figure with a background in serving Armenian civil society. Paylan,
who on the board of YeÅ?ilköy Armenian Grammar School, took an active
role in saving the historic Camp Armen Armenian orphanage from
destruction in mid-May. The orphanage would have been destroyed as
part of a construction plan to build luxury villas.
Estukyan commented on Paylan's previous active role in the Armenian
community, saying, `Paylan has contributed to the community in many
ways, especially in the fields of education, to an extent that he was
embraced by society.' Estukyan added that he has a high opinion of
Paylan's role in helping the Armenian community under the HDP's
leadership.
Turkish-Armenian deputy Selina DoÄ?an will be representing Ä°stanbul's
second region for the Republican People's Party (CHP). DoÄ?an, who has
a legal background, said in an interview with the ANKA news agency in
April that besides being Armenian and being enthusiastic about
representing her community, she also hopes to bring up issues of
gender inequality in Parliament.
Even from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), officials from
which were previously recorded using derogatory language regarding
Armenians, there is an important Armenian deputy: Markar Esayan.
Having been a journalist in a pro-government daily, Esayan, however,
has been criticized by an Armenian foundation for using events related
to his community for promoting the AK Party.
Ã-zcan Purçu, elected as an Ä°zmir deputy for the CHP, is the first-ever
deputy to represent the Roma community. The Roma community in Turkey,
which is estimated as having a population of 300,000 according to a
survey conducted in 2006 by the Konda research company, is strongly
motivated to protect their traditions.
Chairman of Ä°zmir Roma Community Social Cooperation and Solidarity
Association Abdullah Cıstır shared his opinions about the first-ever
deputy to represent his community with Sunday's Zaman. Cıstır said: `I
found this symbolic. Only one deputy is not enough for the Roma
community [but] we will [surely] follow our deputy's activities [in
Parliament] and those who support such activities.' Cıstır also
mentioned the importance of increasing the number of Roma community
representatives in local administrations where the community has a
dense population.
Another deputy hoping to represent minorities is Feleknas Uca, who is
Yezidi. Uca, who was elected as an HDP deputy to represent Diyarbakır
province, was born in Germany and was a member of the European
Parliament from 1999 to 2009. Uca is expected to voice in Parliament
her community's problems, both in Turkey and around the world, along
with her colleague Ali Atalan, who will also be an HDP deputy from
Batman province. The Yezidi community is a religious minority that is
largely located in Iraq but that has an important extension in Turkey.
The Yezidis received international attention after conditions in Iraq
worsened in 2013, causing many Yezidis to abandon their homes and seek
refuge in Turkey.
Another important ethnic minority in Turkey is the Circassians, whose
numbers reportedly total 400,000, according to Konda's survey. Though
candidates Neslin GümüÅ?, Cumhur Atay and Metin Kılıç, all of
Circassian origin, were not elected, there is still an important
figure from the CHP who can represent this community. Murat Ã-zçelik,
who served as CHP deputy chairman in the last legislative term, will
be representing the Circassian community as well as his Ä°stanbul
constituency for the upcoming legislative term.
There are also a large number of deputies who have roots in the
Balkans. More than a million immigrants from the Balkans live in
Turkey. Among the important figures who will be ready to represent
Balkan Turkish communities is Mehmet MüezzinoÄ?lu, the last minister of
health. Having emigrated from Bulgaria himself, MüezzinoÄ?lu is an
important representative of Bulgarian Turks in Parliament.
MUHSÄ°N KARAGÃ`LLE / ANKARA
The unofficial results of the long-awaited Parliamentary election that
took place last Sunday, June 7 have revealed the new shape of
Parliament for the 25th legislative term, with three deputies
representing Turkey's minority groups entering Parliament.
The Armenian community in Turkey has not been directly represented in
Parliament since 1964, when Berc Sahak Turan's term in the
then-Turkish Senate ended. For the first time in 51 years, Armenian
deputies will represent Turkey's most fragile minority group. More
interestingly, three of the four parties that will be represented in
Parliament will have an Armenian deputy, according to the unofficial
final results of the election.
Talking to Sunday's Zaman, Pakrat Estukyan, a prominent journalist
with the Agos weekly, Turkey's leading newspaper for the Armenian
community, said that `[The high number of Armenian deputies] will
surely have a positive effect on our community. It is precious [for
us] in terms of morale, first of all; we will see in time whether
their [the deputies'] actions will also have positive impact [on our
community].'
Karabet Garo Paylan, who was elected as a deputy for the Peoples'
Democratic Party (HDP) representing Ä°stanbul, is an important Armenian
figure with a background in serving Armenian civil society. Paylan,
who on the board of YeÅ?ilköy Armenian Grammar School, took an active
role in saving the historic Camp Armen Armenian orphanage from
destruction in mid-May. The orphanage would have been destroyed as
part of a construction plan to build luxury villas.
Estukyan commented on Paylan's previous active role in the Armenian
community, saying, `Paylan has contributed to the community in many
ways, especially in the fields of education, to an extent that he was
embraced by society.' Estukyan added that he has a high opinion of
Paylan's role in helping the Armenian community under the HDP's
leadership.
Turkish-Armenian deputy Selina DoÄ?an will be representing Ä°stanbul's
second region for the Republican People's Party (CHP). DoÄ?an, who has
a legal background, said in an interview with the ANKA news agency in
April that besides being Armenian and being enthusiastic about
representing her community, she also hopes to bring up issues of
gender inequality in Parliament.
Even from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), officials from
which were previously recorded using derogatory language regarding
Armenians, there is an important Armenian deputy: Markar Esayan.
Having been a journalist in a pro-government daily, Esayan, however,
has been criticized by an Armenian foundation for using events related
to his community for promoting the AK Party.
Ã-zcan Purçu, elected as an Ä°zmir deputy for the CHP, is the first-ever
deputy to represent the Roma community. The Roma community in Turkey,
which is estimated as having a population of 300,000 according to a
survey conducted in 2006 by the Konda research company, is strongly
motivated to protect their traditions.
Chairman of Ä°zmir Roma Community Social Cooperation and Solidarity
Association Abdullah Cıstır shared his opinions about the first-ever
deputy to represent his community with Sunday's Zaman. Cıstır said: `I
found this symbolic. Only one deputy is not enough for the Roma
community [but] we will [surely] follow our deputy's activities [in
Parliament] and those who support such activities.' Cıstır also
mentioned the importance of increasing the number of Roma community
representatives in local administrations where the community has a
dense population.
Another deputy hoping to represent minorities is Feleknas Uca, who is
Yezidi. Uca, who was elected as an HDP deputy to represent Diyarbakır
province, was born in Germany and was a member of the European
Parliament from 1999 to 2009. Uca is expected to voice in Parliament
her community's problems, both in Turkey and around the world, along
with her colleague Ali Atalan, who will also be an HDP deputy from
Batman province. The Yezidi community is a religious minority that is
largely located in Iraq but that has an important extension in Turkey.
The Yezidis received international attention after conditions in Iraq
worsened in 2013, causing many Yezidis to abandon their homes and seek
refuge in Turkey.
Another important ethnic minority in Turkey is the Circassians, whose
numbers reportedly total 400,000, according to Konda's survey. Though
candidates Neslin GümüÅ?, Cumhur Atay and Metin Kılıç, all of
Circassian origin, were not elected, there is still an important
figure from the CHP who can represent this community. Murat Ã-zçelik,
who served as CHP deputy chairman in the last legislative term, will
be representing the Circassian community as well as his Ä°stanbul
constituency for the upcoming legislative term.
There are also a large number of deputies who have roots in the
Balkans. More than a million immigrants from the Balkans live in
Turkey. Among the important figures who will be ready to represent
Balkan Turkish communities is Mehmet MüezzinoÄ?lu, the last minister of
health. Having emigrated from Bulgaria himself, MüezzinoÄ?lu is an
important representative of Bulgarian Turks in Parliament.
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