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Armenian tragedy still raw in Turkey 100 years on Armenian tragedy still raw in Turkey 100 years on
(less than a minute earlier)
Sevag Balikci never got to see his new bedroom.Sevag Balikci never got to see his new bedroom.
His family, ethnic Armenians from Turkey, moved into their Istanbul apartment at the start of 2011.His family, ethnic Armenians from Turkey, moved into their Istanbul apartment at the start of 2011.
Sevag was finishing his military service in the south-east. On 24 April, aged 25, he was shot dead by a fellow recruit.Sevag was finishing his military service in the south-east. On 24 April, aged 25, he was shot dead by a fellow recruit.
The judge called it an accident, sentencing the killer to four years in prison. The family is convinced it was an intentional act by a Turkish nationalist, timed for maximum effect.The judge called it an accident, sentencing the killer to four years in prison. The family is convinced it was an intentional act by a Turkish nationalist, timed for maximum effect.
The 24th April is the date on which Armenians commemorate the darkest moment in their history: when - 100 years ago this week - they began to be rounded up in a crumbling Ottoman Empire and were deported or killed.The 24th April is the date on which Armenians commemorate the darkest moment in their history: when - 100 years ago this week - they began to be rounded up in a crumbling Ottoman Empire and were deported or killed.
Armenia says 1.5 million were systematically murdered, calling it "genocide".Armenia says 1.5 million were systematically murdered, calling it "genocide".
Turkey fiercely rejects the label, insisting far fewer died - many of starvation or disease - and that the deaths of Turks have been ignored.Turkey fiercely rejects the label, insisting far fewer died - many of starvation or disease - and that the deaths of Turks have been ignored.
'The same fate''The same fate'
As the centenary of the tragedy approaches, historical narratives are colliding.As the centenary of the tragedy approaches, historical narratives are colliding.
"The genocide was being commemorated and the killer wanted to intimidate people through my son," says Ani Balikci, Sevag's mother."The genocide was being commemorated and the killer wanted to intimidate people through my son," says Ani Balikci, Sevag's mother.
"An Armenian had to die on that day - and Sevag was available."An Armenian had to die on that day - and Sevag was available.
"The authorities have leant on witnesses to change statements - it suits them to say it's an accident.""The authorities have leant on witnesses to change statements - it suits them to say it's an accident."
She shows me her son's room, which she has kept as it was.She shows me her son's room, which she has kept as it was.
"We can't throw out his belongings because it would be like saying goodbye to him," she says, her tears flowing."We can't throw out his belongings because it would be like saying goodbye to him," she says, her tears flowing.
"A century ago, my family were killed in the genocide - and now one of their descendants, my son, has met the same fate.""A century ago, my family were killed in the genocide - and now one of their descendants, my son, has met the same fate."
Hushed upHushed up
Armenians had long been treated as second-class citizens in the Ottoman Empire, their sporadic revolts ruthlessly suppressed.Armenians had long been treated as second-class citizens in the Ottoman Empire, their sporadic revolts ruthlessly suppressed.
As World War One raged, Ottoman leaders blamed faltering national cohesion for losses in the Balkans and elsewhere, seeing the Armenian minority as a threat.As World War One raged, Ottoman leaders blamed faltering national cohesion for losses in the Balkans and elsewhere, seeing the Armenian minority as a threat.
Armenian genocide disputeArmenian genocide dispute
Find out more about what happenedFind out more about what happened
From a pre-war Armenian population of two million, just 50,000 remain in Turkey today.From a pre-war Armenian population of two million, just 50,000 remain in Turkey today.
Around 20 countries, including France, Italy and Canada, officially recognise the killings as genocide.Around 20 countries, including France, Italy and Canada, officially recognise the killings as genocide.
But for decades Turks grew up unaware of what happened in 1915.But for decades Turks grew up unaware of what happened in 1915.
Textbooks omitted it; political leaders hushed it up, pursuing the "Turkification" of society.Textbooks omitted it; political leaders hushed it up, pursuing the "Turkification" of society.
When it was finally talked about here, the official Turkish version called it "the Armenian events".When it was finally talked about here, the official Turkish version called it "the Armenian events".
But in the past decade, history classes at some universities have begun to address the period and a small liberal fringe has spoken out.But in the past decade, history classes at some universities have begun to address the period and a small liberal fringe has spoken out.
Three hundred Turkish intellectuals signed a petition asking Armenia for forgiveness, among them Ahmet Insel, a professor at Galatasaray University.Three hundred Turkish intellectuals signed a petition asking Armenia for forgiveness, among them Ahmet Insel, a professor at Galatasaray University.
"This was a genocide and a crime against humanity," he says, standing outside the Islamic Arts museum in Istanbul, the site where the first Armenians were rounded up."This was a genocide and a crime against humanity," he says, standing outside the Islamic Arts museum in Istanbul, the site where the first Armenians were rounded up.
"Turkey has a moral obligation to recognise it as such, so as to become a civilised modern democracy.""Turkey has a moral obligation to recognise it as such, so as to become a civilised modern democracy."
He says he does not expect formal recognition within the next 10 years.He says he does not expect formal recognition within the next 10 years.
"The charge of genocide could mean Armenians claim financial compensation from Turkey - that's one factor holding it back.""The charge of genocide could mean Armenians claim financial compensation from Turkey - that's one factor holding it back."
Rhetoric hardenedRhetoric hardened
The current government has slowly moved forward on the issue, returning some confiscated properties to Armenians.The current government has slowly moved forward on the issue, returning some confiscated properties to Armenians.
And, last year, the then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan - now President - offered his "condolences" to families of the victims, calling the killings "inhumane".And, last year, the then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan - now President - offered his "condolences" to families of the victims, calling the killings "inhumane".
It was the furthest a political leader had gone in Turkey, but was rejected by Armenia for dodging the word "genocide".It was the furthest a political leader had gone in Turkey, but was rejected by Armenia for dodging the word "genocide".
In the run-up to the centenary, the rhetoric has again hardened.In the run-up to the centenary, the rhetoric has again hardened.
When Pope Francis said two weeks ago that Armenians had suffered "the first genocide of the 20th Century" Mr Erdogan hit back, saying he "condemned" the Pope, warning him not to "repeat the mistake".When Pope Francis said two weeks ago that Armenians had suffered "the first genocide of the 20th Century" Mr Erdogan hit back, saying he "condemned" the Pope, warning him not to "repeat the mistake".
Partly the president is shoring up core nationalist votes ahead of an election in June. But partly too, Turkey, which cares so much for its prestige and strongman image, recoils at a word linked with Rwanda, Srebrenica and Auschwitz.Partly the president is shoring up core nationalist votes ahead of an election in June. But partly too, Turkey, which cares so much for its prestige and strongman image, recoils at a word linked with Rwanda, Srebrenica and Auschwitz.
'Distract attention''Distract attention'
Perhaps no clearer example of the reluctance to mark the killings will come on the anniversary itself, when Turkey will instead lavishly commemorate 100 years since the Gallipoli campaign: the victory of Ottoman forces over invading Allied troops.Perhaps no clearer example of the reluctance to mark the killings will come on the anniversary itself, when Turkey will instead lavishly commemorate 100 years since the Gallipoli campaign: the victory of Ottoman forces over invading Allied troops.
It is never remembered on 24 April but this year the ceremony will fall on that day - critics say to overshadow the Armenian anniversary.It is never remembered on 24 April but this year the ceremony will fall on that day - critics say to overshadow the Armenian anniversary.
President Erdogan invited world leaders to Gallipoli, including Armenia's president, who sent an angry rejection, calling it "an attempt to distract attention".President Erdogan invited world leaders to Gallipoli, including Armenia's president, who sent an angry rejection, calling it "an attempt to distract attention".
Most leaders have declined the invitation.Most leaders have declined the invitation.
On the shores of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, the far-right MHP party is campaigning for the election, repeating its unrepentant line on Armenia.On the shores of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, the far-right MHP party is campaigning for the election, repeating its unrepentant line on Armenia.
"There was no genocide," says Hakan Aslan, the party's regional head."There was no genocide," says Hakan Aslan, the party's regional head.
"All the ethnic groups who paid their taxes to the Ottoman Empire and weren't traitors lived in peace.""All the ethnic groups who paid their taxes to the Ottoman Empire and weren't traitors lived in peace."
Meanwhile at the heart of Istanbul's Armenian cemetery lies the grave of Sevag Balikci. A marble slab bears his name, picture and the date: 24 April 2011.Meanwhile at the heart of Istanbul's Armenian cemetery lies the grave of Sevag Balikci. A marble slab bears his name, picture and the date: 24 April 2011.
But among the surrounding graves, not a single one dates from 1915.But among the surrounding graves, not a single one dates from 1915.
In fact, there is no cemetery in Turkey dedicated to those victims, such is the refusal to mark what happened.In fact, there is no cemetery in Turkey dedicated to those victims, such is the refusal to mark what happened.
A sign, say Turkey's critics, of a country still unable to face its past.A sign, say Turkey's critics, of a country still unable to face its past.