YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Confronting the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was an important moment for the Turkish Republic. Leaving aside the apology, compensation, the state could not even respect the pain of the Armenian people. But did Armenian people have a loss from all of that? No. Turkey was again the one to lose. As “Armenpress” reports, prominent Turkish intellectual Ragıp Zarakolu writes about the aforesaid.

“The Republic of Turkey, which persists not to be changed, took confident steps not towards democracy but – totalitarianism during the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Throughout the history of the Republic, the denial of the Armenian Genocide became an integral part of totalitarian ideology. For this reason, the main conditions for the democratization of Turkey are the recognition, apology and compensation of the Armenian Genocide,” Zarakolu mentions in his statement, emphasizing that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is important, not for its victims, but in terms of the existence of the Turkish state.

“This country keeps repeating the same mistakes and it causes instability and a threat not only for the country but also in terms of neighboring countries,” the Turkish intellectual wrote.

He notes that the Genocide launched 100 years ago,  is going on in Syria and Iraq already in 2015, where 3rd and 4th generations of Armenians, Assyrians and  Yazidis are under target.

“The victims stopped being just victims; they are martyrs after the Canonization ceremony of Armenian Genocide victims in Etchmiadzin on April 23. Their graves are not already open; they were buried in the heart of the people. They are already in hearts of the world people.

But Turkish Republic will continue to remain under heavy burden of the implemented heavy crime against humanity. It could not found a peaceful society for 100 years, as it was not able to say "never again" but continued to threaten saying “I'll do again."

And as long as this mentality has not changed, there has been no confrontation with history, apology and compensation culture is not formed, and while impunity continues, these bloody land will not find their peace.

The struggle for the reality will continue and conscience will win in the end.” Zarakolu concluded the statement.