Last Armenian Village in Turkey to Lose Status

A recent draft law on restructuring municipality borders will affect the special status of Turkey's only Armenian-populated village. Located in the southern province of Hatay, Vakifli, which consists of 135 residents, will lose its "special" status with the new law.

Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News, Vakifli community head Cem Capar said the survival of the village was very important both for them and Turkey's image. "We hope our rights will be preserved in accordance with the law," Capar said.

"The new law proposes villages in the new metropolitan municipalities be turned into districts. This means Vakifli will lose its village status, so we will no longer be the only Armenian village of Turkey. We conveyed this subject to Hatay Governor Celalettin Lekesiz, with Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin also present," Capar said.  Read more... (302 words)

Armenian News