Opines Turkish politician of Armenian ethnicity Selina Doğan.
Currently, there are three lawmakers of Armenian ethnicity in the Turkish parliament: Margar Yesayan, selected by the list of “Justice and Development” (AKP) party, Selina Doğan representing the opposition People’s Republican (CHP) party, and Garo Paylan from the Kurdistan People’s Democratic Party (HDP). “Aravot” talked to Turkish politician of Armenian ethnicity Selina Doğan who attended the awarding ceremony of Istanbul-Armenian intellectual, linguist, writer and publicist Sevan Nshanyan’s representative, in custody, with “William Saroyan” medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora on September 23 at the “Cezayir” complex in Istanbul.
We asked Ms. Doğan to evaluate the presence of ethnic Armenian lawmakers in Turkey. In her words, after the parliamentary elections on June 7, they felt a lot of excitement but everything changed after October 1. The ethnic Armenian lawmaker noted that she had become a parliamentarian in the most difficult period, and each one tries to make the utmost within their capabilities. “I have connections with both of them (meaning Garo Paylan and Margar Yesayan), we are working together on a number of issues not just as an Armenian but whoever is not an AKP, it is twice difficult for us to move. But what should do we strive to do,” – said Selina Doğan.
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As for the prospects of the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, and whether she can make some predictions, our interlocutor replied that at this point there is no democratic foundation in Turkey based on which they can make some predictions. According to her, today, the political processes taking place in Turkey trend to limit the freedoms and further provoke nationalist sentiments not only for Armenians but also for diverse groups of the society, moreover, there are no equal conditions for all.
Terrorist attacks in southeast Turkey, the Islamic state activities for security reasons have tightened religious and all kinds of freedoms. “For example, we celebrated our Passover, the Resurrection Holiday, in the presence of 100 police officers, while it was the case in the past,” – recalled the lawmaker. Incidentally, ahead of the Easter holiday, Selina Doğan had taken dyed eggs with her to the Turkish parliament and to treat to the members of the Majlis.
As reported by the Turkish mass media, she had played a game with eggs with the lawmakers, showing that it is one of the Easter traditions. In an interview with “Aravot”, ethnic Armenian lawmaker told that neither in the Turkish Majlis nor in any other platforms, they have the chance at this point to raise and debate a number of issues in healthy environment, however, this does not mean that we are going to be silent. Selina Doğan stated under the law and the powers attributed to them, they will try to continue their struggle.
Gohar HAKOBYAN
Photo by the author. “Aravot” daily
In the photo: Aragats Akhoyan and Selina Doğan at the Cezayir center
