NBA’s Turkish player: I share the pain of millions of Armenians

18:09   16 August, 2021

Enes Kanter, the Turkish player of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA), has gone on Instagram and called to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

“As part of my wish to stand up for human rights for all people, over the last few weeks I had a chance to meet several well-respected historians and scholars and it was eye opening to learn more about the Armenian Genocide and face my ignorance,” Kanter wrote.

“The education System in Turkey is nationalist, biased and ignored millions of people’s sufferings. At the point where I am today, I share the pain of millions of Armenians. I believe Turkey must face its past and present crimes. I also strongly believe that democracy will eventually come to Turkey one day and it will then bind up the wound of millions of people, including Armenians and other minorities,” the NBA star continued.

He added that ”dictator Erdogan is a threat to regional peace and like of other tyrants he will lose power and face justice”.” “He is destroying democracy and freedoms for all the people,” Kanter added.

The player revealed plans to hold a basketball camp in Los Angeles “for Armenian brothers and sisters” next week.

“This is the first step for building peace and bridges of love between two beautiful countries. It’s time to destroy all the walls and open hearts to each other,” he concluded.

In 2018, Enes Kanter's father was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Turkey. He links his father's imprisonment with his harsh criticism of Turkey and Erdogan. Kanter has been deprived of Turkish citizenship.



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