Schools

Despite repeated promises for the return of Kamp Armen, the official handover has not taken place yet. The current owner of the camp, Fatih Ulusoy, has stated that the procedures are continuing, and that the return will take place next week. The postponement of the return of the camp to after the election has increased concern, and calls have been made for the immediate finalization of the process.

The process for the return of Kamp Armen has reached the final stage, however, the necessary procedures have not been fulfilled. Official procedures need to be completed for the deed to be registered under the foundation’s name.

HDP Mardin Member of Parliament Erol Dora and HDP Istanbul 3rd zone parliamentary candidate Assyrian lawyer Erkan Metin visited Kamp Armen today.

Civilian society organizations who have organized the resistance at Tuzla since 6 May, Wednesday, when the demolition of Kamp Armen began, and have continued their vigil since, spoke about their demands.

While reactions to the demolition of Camp Armen mount, and the vigil at the camp site against demolition continues, attempts for a solution have also begun. The matter is on the government’s agenda, and AKP parliamentary candidate Markar Esayan has stated that he has spoken with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on the issue, and that has work towards a solution has begun. The Armenian community is hopeful yet cautious. The demand is not for expropriation but for the return of the camp deed to the Church Foundation.

A gathering was organized at Kamp Armen, which still faces the threat of demolition, after activists and the public thwarted the initial attempt. Speaking at the gathering, Rakel Dink said, “This story must not end here”.

By universal law, the definition of seizing a camp created by the sweat of children’s brows, in the simplest terms, is ‘usurpation’. The State has usurped Kamp Armen. And everyone should know very well that this is a terribly grave sin to pay for.

On the one hand, in view of all that we have experienced over the years, there is nothing to be surprised. On the other hand, if we are still surprised, it is an embarrassment for all of us. An embarrassment for Turkey.

The solidarity vigil that began at Kamp Armen (Tuzla Children’s Camp) after heavy machinery entered the site continued all day and through the night. Nor Zartonk (New Renascense), Dört Ayaklı Şehir (Quadruped City) and İstanbul Kent Savunması (Istanbul Urban Defence) issued a collective call to attend the solidarity vigil.

Demolition that began in the early hours of the day at Tuzla Children’s Camp, also known as Kamp Armen, was stopped with the intervention of activists, members of the public and politicians that gathered at the site. The waiting continues.

The Gedikpaşa Armenian Protestant Church and volunteer lawyers are initiating a legal campaign for the return of the camp, or compensation for losses. A new appeal will be made for the amendment of the decision for the cancellation of the sale, and the prevention of the demolition planned for the end of May.

Foundations General Director Adnan Ertem has stated that, according to Article 40 of the Treaty of Lausanne, Armenian schools have special status, and that it is not possible to treat them as private schools; and that therefore, legal procedures applied to private schools cannot be applied to minority schools.