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Bryan Ardouny: article 301 has become a painful
reminder of open wounds of genocide
09.02.2008 15:12 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Bryan Ardouny, Executive Director of
the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), addressed a
letter to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to appreciate
publication of "Freer Speech" editorial dedicated to
the problem of article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.
"We commend you for your Jan. 29 editorial ("Freer
Speech") highlighting Turkey's continued and
inexplicable use of Article 301 to indict citizens for
openly discussing the Armenian Genocide.
"Turkey is the only country in the world where
speaking the truth about the Armenian Genocide is
regarded a prosecutable offense. For simply mentioning
the atrocities, Hrant Dink was hauled to court and
convicted in 2005. His life was ultimately taken by
forces determined to squash public discussion of this
fact of world history.
"Sadly, one year after Mr. Dink's assassination,
Ankara has yet to overturn the climate of intolerance,
prejudice and repression which led to this unspeakable
crime. Instead, Mr. Dink's son, Arat Dink, was
recently convicted under this much-criticized law for
referencing the Armenian Genocide.
"Article 301 has become a painful reminder of the open
wounds of genocide and its denial. It is time for
Turkey to provide more than just lip-service and get
to the business of reforming its laws and stop its
ongoing campaign of denial," Mr Ardouny whote in his
letter.
Bryan Ardouny: article 301 has become a painful
reminder of open wounds of genocide
09.02.2008 15:12 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Bryan Ardouny, Executive Director of
the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), addressed a
letter to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to appreciate
publication of "Freer Speech" editorial dedicated to
the problem of article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.
"We commend you for your Jan. 29 editorial ("Freer
Speech") highlighting Turkey's continued and
inexplicable use of Article 301 to indict citizens for
openly discussing the Armenian Genocide.
"Turkey is the only country in the world where
speaking the truth about the Armenian Genocide is
regarded a prosecutable offense. For simply mentioning
the atrocities, Hrant Dink was hauled to court and
convicted in 2005. His life was ultimately taken by
forces determined to squash public discussion of this
fact of world history.
"Sadly, one year after Mr. Dink's assassination,
Ankara has yet to overturn the climate of intolerance,
prejudice and repression which led to this unspeakable
crime. Instead, Mr. Dink's son, Arat Dink, was
recently convicted under this much-criticized law for
referencing the Armenian Genocide.
"Article 301 has become a painful reminder of the open
wounds of genocide and its denial. It is time for
Turkey to provide more than just lip-service and get
to the business of reforming its laws and stop its
ongoing campaign of denial," Mr Ardouny whote in his
letter.