World Council of Arameans [Syriacs]

Aramean (Syriac) people seek recognition from Turkey at United Nations in Geneva

Amsterdam, 23 January 2015

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This year marks the 100th commemoration of the Ottoman genocide against Turkey’s Armenian, Greek and Aramean populations. These nations still struggle for recognition of these crimes against humanity, while the Arameans continue an additional struggle for survival and for the recognition of their very existence as a people. Towards this end, the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) invites you to the following side event, which takes place one day before Turkey’s Universal Periodic Review by the United Nations:

Turkey’s Native Aramean People:
The Case of an Unrecognized Minority
Monday 26 January 2015
12:00 – 14:00 hours
Room XXII, Palais des Nations
United Nations Office in Geneva

The WCA draws your urgent attention to the position of the Aramean people of Southeast Turkey, where they have a demonstrable presence of more than 3,000 years. As indigenous people who are now endangered in their ancient homeland, they rightfully seek their minority rights protections, undifferentiated from the protections afforded to other minorities and native peoples of the world.

Last year, in September, Israel would pride itself as the first country in the world to recognize the Aramean people. Turkey, however, still seems to be reluctant in acknowledging its Aramean citizens and in securing their future and cultural heritage. Turkey’s Arameans have never enjoyed their basic human rights, but were always subjected to discrimination and various forms of oppression and persecution. The unbearable situation in earlier decades would result in a mass exodus.

Today only 3.000 Arameans are left in Southeast Turkey, while 250.000 live throughout Europe. More and more Arameans are sick and tired of the screaming silence on these matters of injustice. They are chiefly concerned about the neglected issue of land theft by the state and local feudal lords. They want to be heard by the international community and the truth to emerge and prevail.

Therefore, the WCA has invited distinguished speakers to discuss Turkey’s reluctance to help and recognize its Aramean citizens. On the one hand, ongoing problems and obstacles will be outlined. On the other hand, recommendations, potential solutions and opportunities will be emphasized.

The event, which has attracted the attention of a number of UN Missions, NGOs and media, will highlight why the recognition of the Aramean people is of critical importance for their survival in Turkey (and the broader Middle East).

The WCA, until recently called the Syriac Universal Alliance (SUA), is an NGO in Special Consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations since 1999. It is the leading voice of the Aramean (Syriac) people who are native to Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

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For further information, please contact Ms. Sarah Bakir, the WCA’s Main Delegate to the UN Office Geneva (UNOG), at sarah.bakir [at] wca-ngo.org.