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January 18, 2008 Friday 1:38 AM EST
REP. CROWLEY COMMEMORATES LIFE OF HRANT DINK, CALLS FOR FREEDOM OF
PRESS IN TURKEY
WASHINGTON
Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y. (7th CD), issued the following news
release:
On the eve of the one-year anniversary marking the murder of Hrant
Dink, US Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens and the Bronx) spoke on
the House Floor commemorating his life and dedication to
Turkish-Armenian reconciliation. Crowley also used this opportunity
to reiterate his calls for the Turkish government to immediately
repeal Article 301 of the Turkish penal code.
Hrant Dink founded the bilingual weekly newspaper Agos in April 1996,
to foster a dialogue and encourage understanding between the
Turkish-Armenian community and the larger Turkish population. He
served as its editor until Jan. 19, 2007, when he was shot dead
outside of Agos' main office in downtown Istanbul.
"Today, I join the Turkish and Armenian communities in mourning the
one-year anniversary of the loss of Hrant Dink," Crowley said. "Hrant
Dink was a man of conviction and principle who fought for tolerance,
understanding, and greater civil rights for all of Turkey's citizens.
He was a fierce defender of freedom of the press and speech because
he believed that everyone should have the right to know the truth
about their past, and his murder was an act of cowardice and
senselessness."
Journalists and the media community around the world recognized and
honored Hrant Dink for his courage and principles, and he was awarded
the prestigious Bjornson Prize for Literature for his publications on
the Armenian genocide. Hrant Dink's support for human rights and
outspokenness of injustices in Turkey against ethnic Armenians won
him notoriety with authorities, who prosecuted and convicted him in
court for insulting "Turkishness" in Turkey under Article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code.
Congressman Crowley introduced legislation (H.Res.102) in the U.S.
House of Representatives, condemning Mr. Hrant Dink's assassination
as well as urging the Government of Turkey to repeal Article 301 of
the Turkish penal code, which prohibits free speech and is used to
silence critics.
Congressman Crowley said, "It is time for the government of Turkey to
repeal Article 301, which is an outright attack on the fundamental
right to freedom of speech. Turkish authorities should do everything
in its power to stop acts of intolerance, intimidation and violence
against individuals who exercise this fundamental right."
January 18, 2008 Friday 1:38 AM EST
REP. CROWLEY COMMEMORATES LIFE OF HRANT DINK, CALLS FOR FREEDOM OF
PRESS IN TURKEY
WASHINGTON
Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y. (7th CD), issued the following news
release:
On the eve of the one-year anniversary marking the murder of Hrant
Dink, US Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens and the Bronx) spoke on
the House Floor commemorating his life and dedication to
Turkish-Armenian reconciliation. Crowley also used this opportunity
to reiterate his calls for the Turkish government to immediately
repeal Article 301 of the Turkish penal code.
Hrant Dink founded the bilingual weekly newspaper Agos in April 1996,
to foster a dialogue and encourage understanding between the
Turkish-Armenian community and the larger Turkish population. He
served as its editor until Jan. 19, 2007, when he was shot dead
outside of Agos' main office in downtown Istanbul.
"Today, I join the Turkish and Armenian communities in mourning the
one-year anniversary of the loss of Hrant Dink," Crowley said. "Hrant
Dink was a man of conviction and principle who fought for tolerance,
understanding, and greater civil rights for all of Turkey's citizens.
He was a fierce defender of freedom of the press and speech because
he believed that everyone should have the right to know the truth
about their past, and his murder was an act of cowardice and
senselessness."
Journalists and the media community around the world recognized and
honored Hrant Dink for his courage and principles, and he was awarded
the prestigious Bjornson Prize for Literature for his publications on
the Armenian genocide. Hrant Dink's support for human rights and
outspokenness of injustices in Turkey against ethnic Armenians won
him notoriety with authorities, who prosecuted and convicted him in
court for insulting "Turkishness" in Turkey under Article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code.
Congressman Crowley introduced legislation (H.Res.102) in the U.S.
House of Representatives, condemning Mr. Hrant Dink's assassination
as well as urging the Government of Turkey to repeal Article 301 of
the Turkish penal code, which prohibits free speech and is used to
silence critics.
Congressman Crowley said, "It is time for the government of Turkey to
repeal Article 301, which is an outright attack on the fundamental
right to freedom of speech. Turkish authorities should do everything
in its power to stop acts of intolerance, intimidation and violence
against individuals who exercise this fundamental right."