Tweet
Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
PRESS RELEASE
January 23, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]
REPS. PALLONE AND ROYCE HONOR HRANT DINK'S MEMORY
Call on Turkey to Abolish Article 301
Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America commends Armenian
Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Caucus Member
Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) for calling on Turkey to honor the memory
of journalist and human rights activist Hrant Dink by repealing Article
301 of the Turkish penal code.
In separate remarks on the House floor yesterday, both lawmakers
commemorated the first anniversary of Dink's assassination on an
Istanbul street in broad daylight on January 19, 2007. Before his
murder, Dink was awaiting trial for allegedly violating Article 301
which outlaws "insulting Turkishness," for his writings on the Armenian
Genocide.
Pallone noted that Turkey continues to persecute and incarcerate people
for exercising their universal right of freedom of speech.
"Turkey uses intimidation to deny its citizens their right to freedom of
expression," Pallone stated. "It lobbies for its so-called rightful role
in the international community and a place in the European Union. Yet it
does not live up to democratic principles and standards."
"It is my sincere hope that the Turkish government will use this
occasion to reflect upon this restrictive article and rescind it before
it does more harm," said Royce.
Congressman Royce signed on yesterday as a cosponsor of the resolution
condemning the assassination of Hrant Dink, H. Res. 102.
"We appreciate the efforts of Congressmen Pallone and Royce in bringing
this important issue to the forefront of Congress," said Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "It is vital that America demonstrates
its commitment to human rights, and fundamental freedoms to the rest of
the world."
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
###
NR#2008-008
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
PRESS RELEASE
January 23, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]
REPS. PALLONE AND ROYCE HONOR HRANT DINK'S MEMORY
Call on Turkey to Abolish Article 301
Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America commends Armenian
Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Caucus Member
Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) for calling on Turkey to honor the memory
of journalist and human rights activist Hrant Dink by repealing Article
301 of the Turkish penal code.
In separate remarks on the House floor yesterday, both lawmakers
commemorated the first anniversary of Dink's assassination on an
Istanbul street in broad daylight on January 19, 2007. Before his
murder, Dink was awaiting trial for allegedly violating Article 301
which outlaws "insulting Turkishness," for his writings on the Armenian
Genocide.
Pallone noted that Turkey continues to persecute and incarcerate people
for exercising their universal right of freedom of speech.
"Turkey uses intimidation to deny its citizens their right to freedom of
expression," Pallone stated. "It lobbies for its so-called rightful role
in the international community and a place in the European Union. Yet it
does not live up to democratic principles and standards."
"It is my sincere hope that the Turkish government will use this
occasion to reflect upon this restrictive article and rescind it before
it does more harm," said Royce.
Congressman Royce signed on yesterday as a cosponsor of the resolution
condemning the assassination of Hrant Dink, H. Res. 102.
"We appreciate the efforts of Congressmen Pallone and Royce in bringing
this important issue to the forefront of Congress," said Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "It is vital that America demonstrates
its commitment to human rights, and fundamental freedoms to the rest of
the world."
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
###
NR#2008-008