January 19, 2007 - Washington, DC -- The Assembly of Turkish Americans strongly condemns the killing earlier today of Turkish Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink, in Istanbul. The ATAA urges the Turkish Republic to dedicate its best assets to the capture, trial and punishment of the perpetrator(s) of this heinous murder.
The killing of Mr. Dink is a great loss to Turkey. Mr. Dink was the editor of Agos, an Armenian-language newspaper in Istanbul, and also wrote for the Turkish daily, Zaman. He was a respected member and voice of Istanbul's prosperous and growing Armenian community. He advocated reconciliation on the Ottoman Armenian Tragedy of WWI. Unfortunately, he was also the subject of prosecution for his characterization of WWI Armenian deaths as genocide.
ATAA reaffirms that people are entitled to their own opinions and the expression of the same. Turks are struggling for the same rights in Europe and America.
The Turkish Court of Appeals was right to vacate the conviction and remand the case that charged Dink under Law 301 for "insulting the Turkish identity." ATAA is confident in Turkish democracy's ability to address the difficulties of Law 301.
ATAA expresses that the killing of Dink ranks among the worst acts against the best interest of Turkey and regional peace and stability. ATAA urges all concerned parties that the Ottoman Armenian Tragedy is an extremely sensitive matter, the treatment of which requires the utmost care not to fuel the flames of extremism, particularly at a time when security, peace and stability in the Middle East is critical.
ATAA mourns the death of this fellow countryman, Mr. Hrant Dink, and the loss of this very important part of our community. We convey our deepest sympathies to his family and friends, and to the people of Turkey.
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assembly@ataa.org
Assembly of Turkish American Associations
Home of 63 Turkish American Associations across U.S., Canada and Turkey
1526 18th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: (202) 483-9090 Fax: (202) 483-9092
