Swedish MP Yusuf Aydin urges official recognition of Sayfo Genocide

STOCKHOLM — Syriac MP in Sweden Yusuf Aydin (Kristdemokraterna, KD) renewed his call for Sweden to officially recognize the Sayfo massacres as genocide. In a statement on his official page, Aydin emphasized the need for acknowledgment, urging Sweden to follow the example of other European nations.

Aydin highlighted the atrocities committed during and after World War I by the Ottoman Empire, which targeted Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean), Armenian, and Greek Christian communities. He noted that these massacres, which began 110 years ago, resulted in the deaths of over 1.5 million people and were aimed at eradicating the Christian presence within the Ottoman Empire.

Citing a consensus among historians and international experts, Aydin stressed that the systematic and barbaric nature of these crimes unequivocally meets the definition of genocide. He stated, “We, the descendants, remember the victims and martyrs of the painful Sayfo massacres committed against us and other Christians in 1915.”

Elected as an MP in 2022, Aydin has consistently advocated for the rights of his people and the protection of religious freedoms. He regularly raises awareness about the ongoing persecution of Christians in the Middle East and globally, calling for greater action to safeguard these communities.

Aydin concluded by urging the Swedish government to take a stand, joining nations like France in recognizing the Sayfo massacres as genocide and affirming Sweden’s commitment to justice and human rights.