Turkish-Armenian union calls for protection of churches

A union of Turkish-Armenians dealing with social assistance and culture protection issues has applied to the provincial administration of Batman, calling for measures to take the Armenian churches under protection.

According to the Turkish new website Haberler, the chief of the union called special attention to the fact that Armenian churches in the region have been increasingly facing the threat of destruction over the recent period.

“The St. Astvatsatsin Church on Mount Marouta, which was destroyed by vandals, was the last example. And the St Peter church of the Meseli village in Sasun region has to be taken under protection too, before it is destroyed. The church in Resmik village, and the St. Astvatatsin churh of the Kozlol region also need protection,” Aziz Dagic was quoted as saying.

He was skeptical about the allegations that the churches were destroyed by treasure hunters.

“We, as a community, have come up with a situation that we can no longer pray. All these churches are registered. Under Article 42 of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, the Turkish government is obliged to protect the churches and the religious institutions belonging to the minorities. The Republic of Turkey has to comply with that clause of the Lausanne Treaty,” Dagic said.