Istanbul-Armenian intellectual and linguist Sevan Nishanian, who is currently imprisoned, has urged his friends in the United States and particularly the members of the Armenian National Committee of America to continue to express their concerns about the current situation in Turkey.

In his letter addressed to ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, Nishanian expressed his gratitude for his speech devoted to the ceremony of awarding the William Saroyan Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora to him.

Hayern Aysor presents the letter with some reductions.

“In the not too distant past, many people in this country dared to dream of a more democratic and more liberal future. I can proudly say that, under Hrant Dink’s leadership, certain Armenian intellectuals became unusually active and had an influence on designing and enhancing this dream.

The atmosphere of violence established in Turkey recently and the absolute power disappointed most of us, and my imprisonment was perhaps the warning of the tragedy that was going to happen. Currently, the apprehensions of writers and directors, the destruction of the judicial system, the elimination of the Kurdish policy and the collapse of constitutional order say a lot about the gloomy future of the country.

I hope and expect our friends in the United States and particularly the Armenian National Committee of America continue to be sensitive to the unfavorable situation in Turkey. Whether we like it or not, this country is a part of our common heritage. The objective is to save civilized society. At the same time, this is an Armenian issue since the Armenians, perhaps more than other nations, have managed to stay alive and spread freely, with tolerance and in civilization.

I send my friendly greetings from my cell of the prison for serious crimes of Menemen located near Izmir.”