Armenian Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received Turkish human rights activist and publisher Ragip Zarakolu today.
Zarakolu has arrived in Yerevan to participate in the presentation of the Turkish translation of the book “Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire: Testimonies of the Survivors.”
Hailing the Turkish publisher’s contribution to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Minister Hakobyan said: “100 years after the Armenian Genocide, Turkish people should get rid of this burden and be guided by intellectuals like you,” he said.
She attached special importance to the publishing of works on the Armenian Genocide, stressing Zarakolu’s role in the process. “The genocide continues today with the blockade that has been in place for 25 years and with the mental anguish and wanderings of the Armenian Diaspora,” Mrs. Hakobyan said.
Ragip Zarakolu said, in turn, that his struggle for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is a struggle of honor. He said the process of collecting testimonies and eyewitness stories continues and informed that two books will be published in the future based on the testimonies of Kurds and Islamized women.
Minister Hakobyan expressed willingness to organize the presentation of the books at the Ministry of Diaspora.
Zarakolu said he intends to return to the study of the Armenian language and voiced hoped he would need no interpreter in Armenia.
Issues related to the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and the events to be organized ahead of the 100th anniversary of the genocide were discussed at the meeting.
