New Obligations for Patriarch Candidates 'Attempt to Usurp Right to be Elected'

*Funeral of Patriarch Mutafyan (Photo: AA)

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The Ministry of the Interior has issued a directive to the Patriarchate and the Enterprising Council who prepare to elect the 85th Patriarch, stipulating the condition of "being part of the class of bishops of the Armenian Patriarchate of İstanbul" to be elected.

The Enterprising Council will hold a meeting tomorrow (September 25) to evaluate the order of the ministry. Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MP Garo Paylan has spoken to bianet on the decision, saying that "what is done in this state cannot be called an election."

Paylan indicated that the have been many patriarch elections in Turkey and all of them were attended by Armenian clerics from around the world.

"Apart from Armenians in Turkey, there are many clerics from Sivas, Malatya, Adana, İstanbul and all of these candidates were able to participate in all elections, they had the right to be elected."

Only three candidates meet the requirements

"Now, for the first time in the history of the Republic of Turkey, a directive by the Ministry of Interior brings a new restriction to the election of the Patriarch.

"They say, 'You will choose among Armenians in Turkey.' We have only three high cleric candidates who meet these requirements.

"This directive is an attempt to usurp the right of natural candidates to be elected and we never accept it.

"It cannot be called an election in this state."

"The Armenian Patriarchate has the right to appeal the decision. In fact, when Mesrob Mutafyan was being elected 20 years ago there was a similar attempt but the enterprising committee of the time objected to the decision and the situation was corrected.

"Now the same objection must be made and this restriction must be removed by the ministry officials. Otherwise, it cannot be called an election.

"The climate of fear affects minorities"

"I will talk about this matter in parliament, as well as initiatives by talking to government officials," he said, adding that he will submit a parliamentary question tomorrow.

"But it is important that the Armenian society and all political parties, all democrats of Turkey to embrace the Armenian Patriarch ballot box.

"The government creates a climate of fear, and especially minority peoples may be more affected by this climate.

"In this sense, the Armenian community should not be left alone against this usurpation of rights. We expect the support of the greater community on this issue. "

(PT/VK)