Uzay Bulut honored for raising awareness of Ottoman genocides of Christian peoples
THESSALONIKI, Greece — Turkish-born journalist and human rights advocate Uzay Bulut has been honored by the Nikos Kapetanidis Action Association for her work in raising international awareness about the Greek Genocide and the persecution of Christian minorities in the late Ottoman Empire.
The award was presented during a commemorative event in Thessaloniki dedicated to the theme of genocide denial and the targeting of journalists and activists. The ceremony focused on state-backed suppression of historical memory and featured Bulut’s work as an example of modern-day advocacy against historical falsification, according to reporting by Greek City Times.
Bulut, who was born in Trabzon on Turkey’s Black Sea coast, has written extensively about the mass killings and expulsions of Greeks, Armenians, and Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldeans) between 1913 and 1923. Her journalism has appeared in multiple international publications and advocacy platforms, bringing attention to issues of religious freedom and historical accountability.
The association granting the honor is named after Nikos Kapetanidis, a Pontic Greek journalist who was executed by Turkish nationalist forces in 1921 for his writings and resistance to repression. During the event, Bulut paid tribute to Kapetanidis’ legacy and stressed the importance of preserving historical truth in the face of political pressure.
According to coverage by the Greek news outlet Greek City Times and Greek geopolitical analysis site Geopolitico, speakers at the ceremony included historians and researchers who presented archival evidence and academic findings on the destruction of Christian communities in Asia Minor.
In her remarks, Bulut criticized what she described as state-sponsored denial in Turkey and warned that journalists and activists who challenge official narratives continue to face intimidation and threats. She urged scholars and civil society organizations to expand research efforts and strengthen international recognition of the crimes committed against Greek, Armenian, and Syriacs (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) populations.
The Nikos Kapetanidis Action Association stated that the award reflects Bulut’s “courage, perseverance, and commitment to historical truth,” and praised her role in giving voice to persecuted and silenced communities.
The event concluded with the presentation of a commemorative statuette depicting Nikos Kapetanidis, symbolizing solidarity with journalists who risk their safety to defend freedom of expression and historical justice.
