2015

2015 was really important, since it is the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Preparations started months ago and the people were waiting for what will happen with bated breath. We covered the events throughout the year, but some questions prepossessed us toward the end of the year: “How was 2015 in terms of recognizing 1915?” and “What have Armenian community in Turkey done in terms of producing ideas and activities?” In order to find answers to those questions, we talked to the people who are actively working on these issues and producing ideas. Moreover, we talked to people from Armenia. Majority agrees that there is some progress, but it is obvious that there are still many things that should be achieved.

Two theatres founded in Eastern Berlin in the middle of the last century turned Berlin into the centre of political theatre in Europe. The Maxim Gorki Theatre, having shed nothing of its power in the last century, is still one of the most important representatives of political theatre, and has dedicated a broad two-month program to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

Executive director of HRW Middle East and North Africa Division Sarah Leah Whitson will be visiting Istanbul on April 24 as part of the ‘Project 2015’ group to take part in the Armenian Genocide 100th Anniversary Commemoration. We interviewed Whitson in Istanbul, where she held meetings with civilian society organizations in Turkey, which will participate in the organization of the commemoration event; and asked her about Turkey’s position in 2015, the Diaspora’s expectations and the impact of Armenian identity on her life.

Birgül Ayman Güler, İzmir Member of Parliament for CHP (the Republican People’s Party), has resigned from her party. In a written statement Güler criticised the banner stating “Time to face the Genocide” carried by a group including CHP MPs during the Hrant Dink commemoration and the continuing ‘solution process’ for the Kurdish Question.

Agos founder and chief editor Hrant Dink was commemorated at his graveside on the 8th anniversary of his assassination with a ceremony attended by his family and friends.

According to Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu, who made a statement to the official Anadolu Agency, ‘The parallel structure is working against Turkey in the 2015 events’.

Facebook might have bid farewell to 2014 with its message “It’s been a great year. Thanks for being a part of it!”, but it was a year with a lot of negatives, and very few positives for Turkey.

The Human Rights Association (İHD) will organize Genocide commemoration events in 28 cities on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.