On the first day of the academic year in one of the Armenian schools in Turkey children sing the Turkish anthem, not quite realizing what they praise, what values and country they sing for. In this country from childhood, irrespective of nationality and the religious identity, the national and religious identities are humiliated under the pretence of teaching respect for the state and the authorities.
“Proud to be Turkish” – this is an obligatory expression to be pronounced by all while singing, including those of non-Turkish origin. Today’s Turkish authorities strive for democratic Europe and pursue ultimately nationalistic goals at the same time. They try to look democratic, but they clearly continue their politics of discriminations towards the national minorities. The owner of the Armenian “Mekhitarian” College claims his rights in Turkish courts for the building since 1958.
Almost in all 28 Armenian colleges of Istanbbul the number of Armenian students continuously decreases. The acting Turkish authorities never stop talking about giving back the arrested property to the minorities but the issue of returning the part of the Armenian church properties still disputed at courts. Though there are belongings the Turkish state could give back to the Armenian church without legal proceedings.
Vazgen Barin, Armenina deputy mayor of Sisli District, Istanbul, says that in recent years the attitude of the Turkish authorities to minorities has changed a little bit. You can find Armenian catholic, Jewish and Greek cemeteries next to each other. For many years no renovation was performed at the Armenian cemetery.
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