Garo Paylan: I Am in Danger, But Everybody Else Is in Danger in Turkey

• 01.18.2017, 12:49
•  Region,  World,  Diaspora

Facebook/ Garo Paylan

In an interview with Tert.am, Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of the Turkish parliament shared his comments on the scandal surrounding his personality.

Paylan said that the scandal rose after he said, at the debate over constitutional reforms, that the Turkish authorities annihilated four nations – Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians and Jews – in the early 20th century.

"What I said to them was that we made up 40% of the population then - instead of the 0.9% now. I referred to those events as ‘genocide’ and said ‘you can use any wording you like’."

"Sadly enough, they made me a target again. I am in danger. But everybody else is in danger in Turkey," he said, expressing concerns over deeper anti-nationalist sentiments in the wake of the constitutional referendum.

The proposed amendments, if adopted, will doom dissidents to silence, establishing a fascist regime in the country, the lawmaker noted.

He added that the Armenians in Turkey and he personally are concerned about the community’s future. "My concern is not limited only to the Armenian community; I am concerned also about the other religious minorities."