World press, in particular the French “Le Monde”, “Le Figaro”, the Italian “La Stampa” have provided coverage of the Istanbul action organized in commemoration of the 1915 Genocide in Ottoman Empire.

According to La Stampa, a real miracle can be seen in Istanbul today. The event in commemoration of 220 Armenians arrested on April 24, 1915, has for the first time been organized at the Haidarpasha station in Istanbul. Among the arrested were the leading Armenian politicians and intellectuals. They became the first Genocide victims. Thus, this date marks the start of massacres.

Today’s demonstration has been organized by Insan Haklari Dernegi – the leading Turkish NGO on human rights. The organization’s statement reads: “The organization invites all those who feel shame in their souls for 1915 events to pay tribute to memory of the victims at the Haidarpasha station.”

Two years ago over 30,000 people signed an on-line petition “Ozur Dileriz” (We apologize), apologizing to Armenians for the 1915 events.

Today’s demonstration is tantamount to Turkey’s saying that it is ready to face its past, the source says.

A.G.