Call to include Armenian names on list of ‘Murdered Journalists’

Turkish intellectuals issued a call for the names of Armenian journalists who lost their lives during the painful events of 1915 to be included in the list of ‘Murdered Journalists’ in the Press Museum.

The first radical step in this direction was taken by the Ankara based Contemporary Journalists Association, or ÇGD, when in March they counted the names of Armenian journalists who died in 1915 as part of the list of all members of press who were murdered since the Ottoman period.

"The [Armenian] diaspora criticized this step, even calling it a state sponsored move, but we took this step solely by listening to our own conscience," said ÇGD Chairman Ahmet Abakay during a press conference that was organized by the Surp Haç Armenian High School in the district of Galatasaray on Tuesday.

"Let no one have any doubts, that if we had any prior knowledge about these journalists, we would not have hesitated to include their names in the list. Unfortunately, we are learning the truths bit by bit," said Abakay.

"The aim has always been to cover up all this cruelty, and murders have remained unsolved. It is unfortunate that we have contented ourselves with whatever we were taught until now," said Abakay.

"It is a shame that our society is very ignorant of all the pain and suffering that befell the people of this land. We must explain the truth," said Ragıp Zarakolu, a journalist and founder of the Turkish Human Rights Association.

"Among those murdered journalists there were many individuals such as Diran Kelegyan who was the editor in chief of the daily Sabah. These individuals are a part of Turkish press history," said Zarakolu.

"The Turkish Journalists Association awarded me the Freedom of Thought prize alongside Hrant Dink in 2007. For that reason, I have a responsibility of conscience in that respect as well. The names of many printers, reporters and editors who made contributions to Ottoman press history have been erased solely due to their identities," said Zarakolu.

When asked why the names of these individuals were only revealed now, Zarakolu said, "Turkey has now entered a process of change, there is a struggle for democratization, and the most important step in realizing this goal is to face up to our own history."

There are many Armenians on the list of ‘Murdered Journalists,’ such as Taniel Varujan, Rupen Zartaryan, Siamento (Atom Yarjanian) and Krikor Zohrab who served as an Istanbul deputy in the Ottoman Parliament for three consecutive terms and who was also recognized as a writer and law expert.


/Hurriyet Daily News/