Syriacs from Tur Abdin have gone on hunger strike in Midyat district of Mardin demanding the recognition of the 1915 Sayfo genocide in its hundredth year.

The “100 hours hunger strike in the 100th year of the Sayfo genocide” which has been started by 24 people from the Syriac community at the local of Federation of Syriac Associations (SÜDEF) will last till 24 April.

Sayfo Committee Representative Simon Poli, Syriac Women's Centre (SURKADİM) Representative Aynur Özgün and SÜDEF President Evgil Türker held speeches in Syriac and Turkish to mark the beginning of the hunger strike.

The statements pointed out that the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 aimed to annihilate the Syriac people who are yet to overcome the trauma of the inhumane execution committed 100 years ago.

Remarking that international powers and European countries today displayed positive approaches for the recognition of the Sayfo genocide, and that the 1915 genocide against Armenian and Syriac community has been recognized by Holland, Armenia and most recently by the Pope, speakers commented this development as a result of the struggle given in diaspora for 20 years.

Stressing that the struggle will continue until the 1915 genocide is recognized by the whole world and Turkey as well, demonstrators noted that the hunger strike in Midyat was of great importance for the Syriacs today.

Recalling that over 500,000 Syriac people were brutally massacred in the Sayfo genocide, demonstrators urged the Turkish state to confront this truth and to end the denial of this mass killing, saying; "This is the only way to enable all peoples in Turkey's lands to live in peace, equality and tranquility.

Dozens of Syriac people from Midyat and nearby villages have visited those joining the hunger strike during the day.