Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Peoples and Beliefs Commission made a written statement on the 109th anniversary of the Seyfo Massacre against Assyrians, which started on June 15, 1915.

 

It was stated that the Anatolian and Mesopotamian lands have made significant contributions to world culture and social development throughout history, and have witnessed the suffering and crimes against humanity against different peoples and cultures from time to time, and that the Assyrians are one of these peoples.

 

In the statement, it was reminded that the Assyrians referred to the massacre in which a large part of their population was killed as "Seyfo", which means "sword" in their own language, and emphasized that June 15, 1915 was accepted as the starting date of the massacre against the Assyrians. Drawing attention to the decrease in the Assyrian population after the massacre, the statement said: "While more than 500 thousand Assyrians lived in these lands at the beginning of the 20th century, two-thirds of the population were destroyed as a result of the massacres and forced migrations that started in 1915 and continued until 1924 Today, the Assyrian population living in Turkey has decreased to 20 thousand.”

 

CONFRONTATION DEMAND

 

Pointing out the steps taken in previous examples of massacres and genocides for confrontation, the statement said: "The demand and expectation of the Assyrian people is for a sincere confrontation to take place. As the DEM Party Peoples and Beliefs Commission, we once again express that the demand of the Assyrian people to confront Seyfo (sword) is our demand. On the 109th anniversary of Seyfo, we share the pain of the Assyrian people and remember those who lost their lives with respect."