The Armenian National Committee has urged UN Security Council members and other member states to reject Turkish diplomat Feridun Sinirlioğlu’s candidacy for UN secretary-general, citing concerns over his impartiality and positions on the Armenian Genocide and regional conflicts.
In a statement, the committee argued that Sinirlioğlu’s diplomatic record raises questions about his ability to uphold the independence required of the UN’s highest administrative official.
It cited an October 16, 2020, letter to the UN secretary-general, signed by Sinirlioğlu as Turkey’s permanent representative, in which he disputed the characterization of the events of 1915 as genocide and rejected reports of foreign fighters participating in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The committee also recalled Sinirlioğlu’s opposition to a U.S. congressional resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide in 2010.
Another concern involved reported remarks made by Sinirlioğlu in July 2026 while serving as secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). According to the committee, he indicated a willingness to examine possible OSCE involvement in removing the Catholicos of All Armenians from office.
The committee further questioned Sinirlioğlu’s political independence, citing his ties to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkey’s involvement in regional conflicts, including those concerning Cyprus, the South Caucasus and Syria.
It referred to Article 100 of the UN Charter, which prohibits the secretary-general from seeking or receiving instructions from any government.
The committee called on Security Council members not to support Sinirlioğlu during either informal voting or the formal selection process. It also urged UN member states to prioritize candidates with a demonstrated commitment to genocide prevention and institutional independence.
Sinirlioğlu was asked to clarify publicly whether he continues to uphold the position expressed in his 2020 letter and whether he has withdrawn his reported remarks concerning the Armenian Church.
The committee additionally called on Armenian communities worldwide to raise their concerns with national governments and elected representatives.
