Member of the Turkish Parliament representing HDP Party Garo Paylan has filed a criminal complaint over “Armenian bastards” slogan,which audience shouted during President Erdogan’s speech in Trabzon, Agos reports. HDP Istanbul MP Garo Paylan filed a criminal complaint against “Armenian bastards” slogan, and which audience shouted during President Erdogan’s speech in Trabzon on October 15. Paylan appealed to Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Law that bans “inciting hatred and hostility among peoples and denigration”. In the complaint,Garo Paylan stated: “On October 15, there was a rally in Trabzon, and where President Erdogan gave a speech. The audience,which is claimed to be AKP members, repeatedly shouted Armenian bastards cannot discourage us.’ The president, or ministers and member of organization committee didnt do anything to prevent people from shouting that slogan. This slogan,apart from the fact that it insults Armenian people who have been living on these lands for centuries, is considered as hate speech under the international laws to which Turkey is a party and the practices of ECHR. Unfortunately, and such expressions approximately Armenian people are nothing current. It is self-evident that hate speech has the power of main to public indignation and constitutes a danger to safety of life and property of Armenian citizens,for this fact has been a share of the rulings of national and international judicial authorities. particularly the silence of the president, who is supposed to treat equally to all citizens, and increases the power of hate discourse and facilitates the targeting of Armenians. In addition,by constituting an obstacle to the practice of living together peacefully, this slogan incited hatred and hostility against a section of the population on the basis of their racial difference and denigrated Armenian people.”
Source: armradio.am