Turkish Premier Erdogan’s meeting with one of Istanbul Armenian community leading members Bedros Sirinoglu sparked a wave of protest among the local Armenian community.

According to the Turkish Taraf daily, they opposed Sirinoglu’s words that Armenians feel safe in Turkey and launched a signature campaign against his statement. “If Sirinoglu considers that Armenians live safe in Turkey, it means we live in different countries. Armenians are discriminated here. They are a bargain chip for Turkey in its foreign policy. We expected that Sirinoglu would remind Erdogan there were no concrete steps undertaken to investigate Hrant Dink’s death for recent three years. Sirinoglu labeled 1915 events as a quarrel between two friends, we condemn his words attempting to shield a grave crime against humanity,” the statement reads.

A.G.