Choice Democracy – Quo Vadis Turkey?

The Assyrians/syriaqs were trapped in the middle of a civil war and suffered as a result of the atrocities. The village of Hassana was one among many villages which were evacuated as a direct result of this war, and Assyrian/syriaq activists were targeted by both the guerilla and paramilitary groups.The ceasefire of last year has created a new atmosphere and the handling of Turkey’s minorities has become a central question affecting Turkey’s entrance into the European Union.

At the same time the PKK has been forced to retreat and been forced to adopt a policy of political dialogue instead of military confrontation.

Relative stability has come to the area over the past few years opening it up to development. The process regarding Turkey’s EU nomination combined with the changes in the political leadership have contributed to this progress.

There is now both hopes for the future and confidence in the area as practical measures towards increased law enforcement have led to the expansion of the local economy.

Exiled Assyrians/syriaqs have visited and are visiting their ancestral villages in large groups and considerable investment lies ahead if the development can be sustained.

In addition Assyrian/syriaq representatives both within and without the country have initiated negotiations with different parts of the Turkish government.

There have also been contact with prominent people in Turkey itself, cultural exchanges and the villages are slowly being rebuilt.

Plans for resettlement are being considered among the first generation of exile Assyrians/syriaqs in Europe and Turkey’s negotiations with the EU are a mater of priority among the Assyrian Organizations that are closely monitoring the developments.

Turkey, the EU and the Assyrians/syriaqs

Despite the positive development of recent years there is still a considerable amount of work to be done before Turkey can become a full member of the European Union as the EU commission correctly points out.

Among others is the lack of a proper judicial system and areas of concern in the democratic process have been brought up.

The influence of the military in politics is a fundamental but still unresolved problem. Paramilitary groups in southeast Turkey continue to make life difficult for the inhabitants of the countryside.

Disputes land ownership and other such disputes which have not been accepted by the courts and minority rights, particularly for the indigenous Assyrians/syriaqs who are distinct from the majority due to their different religion, culture and language.

The Assyrians/Syriaqs aspire to take part and contribute to the transformation process in which Turkey is involved. We believe in a different Turkey. A Turkey with Democracy and mutual understanding is possible with the support of groups in Europe and specifically the support from various EU institutions.

We agree with the report of the EU Commission which states that Turkey should be able to gain full membership in the coming years. This development would also be significant for the country and the Assyrian/Syriaq question is important in that process. The following questions have to be solved before the process can move forward.

1. 
   Turkish Democracy
   

Turkish democracy has the potential to take great steps forward. What is characteristic of the Assyrians/Syriaqs is the fact that they are not a minority that entered this region sometime in history. The Assyrian people have been living in the parts of Southern Turkey for thousands of years and they must be perceived as indigenous extension of the Mesopotamian civilization.
A democratic state must follow international conventions and as such Turkey must recognize the Assyrians/Syriaqs as indigenous peoples and ratify the UN Convention on indigenous peoples. This will guarantee the survival of the Assyrian cultural, social and political rights in the country. In particular at a time when the number of Assyrians/Syriaqs is falling dramatically.

2. The Fundamental Question

The Turkish government in the early 1900s ratified the so called Lausanne Treaty in which national minorities were defined and their rights agreed upon. The Assyrians/Syriaqs were excluded from that treaty, a fact that has brought serious political and cultural difficulties for our people. The Lausanne treaty is of great importance, there must be a prerequisite, that the Assyrians be recognized in this document before proceeding to the adoption of the Copenhagen criteria.

3. Assyrian/Syriaqs Rights

In accordance with the various moves the Turkish government has made towards its minorities the Assyrians/Syriaqs should have access to TV and radio broadcasting in the Assyrian language.

This issue is a state matter and it is expected that the Turkish government will undertake this mission without delay. This decision should be made within the context of the fact that over 300,000 Assyrians/Syriaqs are living in Europe.

4. History

Much of the 20^th century history of the Assyrians/Syriaqs in Turkey has been a great tragedy. It is normal for a democratic state to make up for its past mistakes by taking steps towards the new era.

None of the current inhabitants of Turkey should feel guilt for the genocide of 1915 against the Assyrians/Syriaqs and other Christians. Such an initiative would speed up the work of reconciliation and fasciculate the consolidation of political life.

5. Restoration

Churches, monasteries and villages have been destroyed. These need to be restored. The village of Hassana, for example was evacuated and destroyed completely as a result of the war. This village and others need to be restored and those families who are from the villages and wish to return be assisted to do so.

6. Security

Over the past few years the numbers of Assyrians/Syriaqs visiting their home districts has increased dramatically. The driving force behind these has been the expectation to revive their childhood areas.

As families come back the lack of security is the main obstacle to long term development. The Turkish Government must provide security for those returning Assyrians/Syriaqs and newly populated villages and property that has been taken illegally must be return to their legal owners.

7. Reconstruction

Villages rebuilt by Assyrians/Syriaqs must be given protections, adjustment sin laws and legal assistance in preparing documentation must be provided. Further, the names of all Assyrian villages which were changed to Turkish names must be restored. This will have a great symbolic meaning for the remaining Assyrians/Syriaqs and those from abroad.

8. Return

The Turkish Government should aim through its Embassies and other institutions to encourage those Assyrians/Syriaqs living overseas to return home. This can be accomplished by informing them of the current conditions and the advancements made in protecting their rights.

9. Statements

The slogan “Turkey is for the Turks” should be changed immediately. It should be replaced by one that says that Turkey is for all citizens regardless of race, ethnicity or religion.

10. Indoctrination

Indoctrination of Pan Turkism and Pan Islamism should stop in the schools. Textbooks that contain racially incitements and misleading information about the nation’s minorities must be changed. Alternative textbooks should inform the Turkish people about the history of their minorities and their role in history objectively.

Stockholm, October 31, 2004

The Assyrian National Federation in Sweden – ARS

The Assyrian Democratic Organization – ADO

The Assyrian Democratic Movement – ADR

The Assyrian Liberation Party – GFA Swedish Section

The Assyrian Patriotic Party – APP

The European Syriac Union – ESU

The Arch Foundation for the Syriac Orthodox Church in Sweden and the Scandaninavaian Foundation