No Place for Turkish 'Climate of Fear' in Germany: Cem Özdemir about Assassination Attempt against Turkish-Armenians

• 12.24.2017, 17:46
•  Europe,  Region,  World

The Armenian Weekly

Germany will not tolerate a climate of fear, Cem Özdemir, co-leader of the Green Party, said in an interview with DW, commenting the statement made by Garo Paylan, a lawmaker of Armenian descent in Turkey's parliament.

''It wouldn't surprise me given that Hrant Dink, a Turkish-Armenian journalist and a good friend of mine, was killed by a 16-year-old [in Istanbul] — and it's known that the Turkish state played a role in this murder. Then you also see how Turkish dissidents are not only jailed, silenced or expelled but also intimidated and subjected to physical violence. Germany should be aware of this and above all else prevent the growth of separate societal structures. Some examples of this already exist, such as Osmanen Germania, a Turkish-nationalist boxing gang, or the Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD). [Editors' note: The UETD is considered to be the AKP's external lobby group.]'', said Özdemir. 

According to him, Germany's security apparatus could be improved when it comes to the danger from Turkey.

''I recently attended an event by Turkish-Armenian journalist and blogger Hayko Bagdat, who has become a well-known figure in Berlin. He wore a bullet-proof vest because he'd received credible death threats a day earlier. I think we must make it clear that Germany will not tolerate such a climate of fear. It's bad enough that such fear already pervades Turkish society''. 

It should be noted that Garo Paylan claims that  Turkish academics, journalists and literary figures who have fled the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are in grave danger, particularly those who have come to Germany. Among them Armenians also are included.