TURKEY

TURKEY Merkel: the lifting of immunity causes concerns

Chancellor Merkel made a statement about her planned meeting with Erdoğan and said that the lifting of immunity of the members of Turkish Parliament might have grave consequences. It is expected that the migration deal, lifting of parliamentary immunity and Bundestag's bill for the Armenian Genocide will be discussed at the meeting.
TURKEY Council of State demands plea from Prime Minister's Office about Sur

The objection against the urgent expropriation in Sur filed by Diyarbakir Bar Association Deputy Chair Ahmet Özmen is taken in the scope of urgent trial procedure by Chamber 6 of the Council of State. The Council of State demanded a plea and the documents about expropriation from Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning within 15 days.
TURKEY First session on parliamentary immunity starts

Today, the constitutional amendment bill prepared for lifting the parliamentary immunity of the lawmakers who have outstanding dossiers against them, which caused quarrels during the committee meeting, will be brought to the agenda of the general assembly of the parliament.
TURKEY Anzacs tell about 1915

Held captive by Ottoman army, Anzac soldiers reveal rather unknown aspects of the Armenian Genocide through their journals. In the stories that came to light thanks to the studies of New Zealander historian and journalist James Robins, experiences of Anzac soldiers who witnessed the genocide are told. This interview of Robins is about his studies that reach from 1915 to the present.
TURKEY UN's call about Cizre: allow independent investigation

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein made a call to Turkish government for allowing independent investigation on the grave human rights violations happened in the regions under curfew. Hussein stated that “the most worrisome” reports are the ones claiming that 100 people were burned to death in the basements in Cizre.
TURKEY Claudia Roth: it is impossible to postpone genocide draft further

Twice-postponed Armenian Genocide draft will be brought to Bundestag's agenda on June 2. Green Party member and Vice President of the Bundestag Claudia Roth spoke to Agos. Reminding that Ambassador of Turkey to Germany Hüseyin Avni Karslıoğlu warned Bundestag about the draft, Roth said, “We don't accept it. I hope the groups in the parliament won't obey Turkey once again and the draft will be accepted as planned.”
TURKEY Surp Giragos received its award in Istanbul

Europa Nostra Award ceremony was held in Istanbul because of the ongoing curfew in Diyarbakir. Speaking at the ceremony, Diyarbakir Surp Giragos Armenian Church Foundation Chair Ergun Ayık said, “We wish we held this ceremony in our church. We miss the good old days.”