In statement on 104th anniversary of Pontic Greek genocide, Bethnahrin National Council warns of continued genocidal threat, calls for global action

BETH NAHRIN — In a statement issued by the Presidency of the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB) titled “Genocidal Mentality is a Threat to All Peoples”, the MUB recalled the 104th anniversary of the Pontic Greek Genocide and strongly condemning the ongoing threat of genocide in Turkey.

“The Pontic Greek people suffered the most heinous massacre in the Black Sea region and other Turkish regions on 19 May 1919, at the hands of the Committee of Union and Progress, which embraced a dark fascist ideology based on an exclusionary ‘one nation, one religion, one language’, read the statement.

According to the MUB, this massacre resulted in the deaths of thousands of Pontic Greeks and the extermination of an indigenous people of the Anatolian plateau. It further highlighted the preceding massacres during the First World War, where the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) and Armenian people also fell victim, leading to the utter destruction of Christian communities in Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia).

Expressing concern for the present time, the MUB emphasizes the gradual preparations for another potential massacre that threatens the existence of various peoples in Turkey. It draws attention to an alliance that has formed over the past 20 years, comprising terrorist organizations such as the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State (ISIS), Muslim Brotherhood, Hezbollah, and other extremist groups. This alliance, supported by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the National Movement (MHP), has waged war against Middle Eastern peoples based on religion and ethnicity, posing a threat to all of humanity.

“The MUB believes that Turkey’s fascism is a major crime against humanity,” read the statement. “All of humanity must rise up against the extermination mentality, which poses a threat to every human being on earth.”

The MUB emphasized that the upcoming runoff of the Turkish elections scheduled for 28 May will determine the fate of minority peoples in Turkey and the Middle East. It warns that a victory for the reactionary ruling alliance would perpetuate an era of darkness and chaos, while a different outcome would open an opportunity to move towards democratic values and free thought. The MUB urged the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people to take a firm stance and align themselves with the democratic alliance.

According to the MUB, the AKP and MHP still harbor the mentality that led to the 1915 Genocide of Christian peoples, making it impossible to guarantee the safety of these communities. It called for the urgent unity of all peoples in Turkey in their struggle against the mentality of extermination and reaction.

The statement concluded:

“The time has come to unite with humanity and support global democracy in order to build our future together against reactionary forces. On this basis, and on the 104th anniversary of the Greek massacres, the MUB remembers and honors the victims of those massacres. The MUB denounces and condemns the perpetrators and urges the peoples in Turkey, the Middle East, and all of humanity to defend democracy, freedom, and put an end to genocide.”