ANKARA (Hurriyet)–The head of Turkey’s Democratic Society Party (DTP) Tuesday apologized to Armenia’s and Assyrians for the genocide of 1915, requesting forgiveness on behalf of the Kurds for their role in the execution of the crimes.
"Maybe Kurds have contributed to the loss of this (cultural) richness. We are ashamed when we look at our Armenian or Assyrian brothers," said Ahmet Turk, the leader of pro-Kurdish DTP party.
Earlier in October, Turk denounced the government’s policy regarding the Kurdish issue, describing it as “cultural and societal genocide.”
Kurds are always ready to apologize for their mistakes and they struggle to allow people to live in peace, he was quoted as saying by the Dogan News Agency.
The apology comes a week after a DTP member’s request that the legislature apologize to Armenia’s for the “events of 1915” caused an uproar in parliament, with members hurling personal insults at one another.
DTP, the country’s main Kurdish party, has been under siege by the Turkish government, facing a possible ban by the constitutional court in what is widely recognized as being a politically charged case aimed at decapitating the party.