* Photo: Gazete Sabro
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It has been 102 years since the Greek Pontic Genocide.
Starting with the massacres initiated by Sultan Abdulhamid in 1894 and targeting Armenians, the Great Christian Genocide ended with the Greek Pontic Genocide, following the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians and 300 thousand Syriacs by the ruling Party of Union and Progress in 1915.
In 1914-1921, 134,078 Greek Pontic people were massacred in Amasya, Samsun and Giresun; 27,216 people in Niksar; 38,434 people in Trabzon; 64,582 people in Tokat; 17,479 people in Maçka and 21,448 people in Şebinkarahisar. Taken together with 50 thousand people who lost their lives in the years of 1921-1923 and during the population exchange, a total of 353 thousand Greek Pontic people were massacred.
'Recognition is vital'
The European Syriac Union (ESU) has released a statement to mark the 102nd anniversary of the Greek Pontic Genocide:
"On this day of May 19, we remember martyrs of Greek Pontic Genocide of 1915 perpetrated by Ottoman Turkish rule against Greek Pontic people leaving 353.000 dead hundred of thousands perished in inhuman conditions with cultural, social and economic destruction and seizure.
"As the native people of Pontus, Greek Pontic people faced genocide and annihilation like other Christian entities in the time as Syriac and Armenian people. During the genocide of 1915, more than 3 million of Christian people have been killed, children and women islamised, religious, cultural and social monuments and historical heritage have been destroyed and changed hands. During the genocide of Pontus 353.000 people have been killed, thousands have been perished, more than 300 schools, 500 church and monasteries and monuments have been destroyed. Following the genocide of 1915 no more Christian Greek Pontics lelt in the region.
"1915 genocide against Christian communities and as today we remember Greek Pontic one, the haunting memory and trauma is still very present and alive among respective communities scattered around the world as the faced forced exile and diaspora. More than one century later, Turkey continues to deny genocide of 1915 plus Republican politics and practices have been another step to annihilate ancient rich history of these people. While 1915 genocide remains unaddressed in the country, hate speech, Christianophobia remain deeply engraved in Turkey and often used by political leaders.
"On this day of Greek Pontic Genocide Remembrance Day, we remember holy memory of martyrs, we stand with Greek Pontic people around the world for the recognition and justice. Genocide recognition is vital to prevent future genocides."
On this day of May 19, Greek Pontic Genocide Remembrance Day, ESU commemorate and honor martyrs of 1915 genocide against Greek Pontic people of Pontus leaving 353.000 martyrs with social, cultural and economic destruction. pic.twitter.com/NivPNcgJVa
— EuropeanSyriacUnion (@esu_int) May 19, 2021
(RT/SD)
