Istanbul Armenian activist Garo Paylan, who is also an MP from the pro-Kurdish “Peoples’ Democratic Party” (HDP) of Turkey, spoke to Armenian News-NEWS.am in an exclusive interview.
“They are attempting to silence and ‘digest’ not only me, but the opposition in Turkey,” Paylan specifically said and continued: “And we are continuing to fight. Of course, there is a greater risk in case of being an Armenian [member of the] opposition [in Turkey]. The incident that occurred in the Meclis [i.e. the Grand National Assembly (parliament) of Turkey] was pre-planned, and it was a lynching attempt based on hatred.
“I have always received social networking website threats, or profanities, whose target was my Armenian identity. [But] after the incident in Parliament, my supporters’ messages have become more visible.
“Targeting of the HDP MPs and the insults toward them continue, and this is led by the [Turkish] presidential palace.
“[PM] Ahmet Davutoğlu’s removal from office also means one of the steps in a regime change in Turkey. (…) After Davutoğlu, [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan is seeking someone who will listen to his words; we call this a ‘civilian coup.’ (…) Turkey is going further away from democracy every day.
“I know the problems of the [Turkish] Armenian community very well. Before being elected MP, I was fighting for the solution of [these] problems, and now, I wage the same fight in Parliament. The Armenians of Turkey were living in a more tranquil period several years ago.
“Armenians can survive in a democratic Turkey; I am fighting for the fulfillment of this idea.”
