December 10, 2013 - 16:29 AMT
AAE slams Turkey’s hypocritical policies

The Assembly of the Armenians of Europe issued a statement over the death of first black President of South Africa and prominent apartheid fighter Nelson Mandela.

“One of the greatest men of our era, Nelson Mandela, passed away at the age of 95. Humanity has lost one of its greatest children. A man who spent all his life in a conscious struggle for liberty, human rights and the well being of his fellowmen,” the AAE said. “Mandela’s struggle was not directed solely against the racist regime of South Africa but had a universal dimension as well and became a source of inspiration for the progressive people all around the world.”

The Assembly of the Armenians of Europe “unites its voice with that of all the progressive people who are fighting against genocide, racism and the violation of the human rights in order to express its respect for Mandela’s memory.”

“It is with great surprise that we see the Turkish government, a true champion of racism and genocide, express its ‘sorrow’ for the death of Nelson Mandela,” the AAE said. “The Turkish rulers publicly declare their sorrow, pretending to forget that this great man’s struggle was directed against regimes that were very similar to that of Turkey. As Nelson Mandela has proved with his life and struggle, no reconciliation can be obtained by false declarations and hypocritical policies.”