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Street In French Lyon To Be Named After Hrant Dink

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  • Street In French Lyon To Be Named After Hrant Dink

    STREET IN FRENCH LYON TO BE NAMED AFTER HRANT DINK

    ARMENPRESS
    Jan 17 2007

    YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: A street in France's second largest
    city of Lyon will be named after Hrant Dink, a prominent Turkish
    Armenian journalist killed a year ago outside the office of his
    bilingual Agos weekly in Istanbul.

    Ms. Hilda Choboyan, chairwoman of the European Armenian Federation
    for Justice, said to Armenpress the ceremony will be attended by
    Lyon mayor.

    She said commemorative events will be held also in many European
    cities on January 19, which will mark the first anniversary of Dink's
    murder. One of the events will be held in the Dutch city of Assen's
    De Boskampe cemetery near a monument to the victims of the Armenian
    genocide.

    In a related event the International Press Institute (IPI), the global
    network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over
    120 countries, criticized in an open letter the ongoing failure of
    the Turkish government to reform the internationally denounced article
    301 of the Turkish penal code.

    IPI recognized Hrant Dink last year as World Press Freedom Hero.

    "Article 301, which criminalizes 'insults to Turkishness', has serious
    ramifications for freedom of speech in Turkey," said David Dadge,
    IPI Director.

    "By silencing speech on certain issues, the article risks fuelling
    hatred and violence in Turkish society.

    Bearing in mind that Dink was murdered by a Turkish nationalist,
    it is possible that his murderer felt in some way justified by the
    fact that Dink had broken this pernicious law. Indeed, it is likely
    that he may have become a target in the first place due to the high
    profile nature of the trial."

    "For this reason, article 301 may encourage a vicious cycle of
    violence, leaving those brave enough to speak out on taboo subjects
    in Turkey isolated and possibly in grave danger."

    The IPI strongly urged the government of Turkey to ensure that article
    301 is repealed, along with other articles in the Turkish penal code
    which inhibit freedom of expression and which do not conform to the
    standards expected of a modern democracy.
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