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STATE DEPT. 'DEEPLY CONCERNED' OVER TURKEY'S PROSECUTION OF NISANYAN
http://asbarez.com/110747/state-dept-%E2%80%98deeply-concerned%E2%80%99-over-turkeys-prosecution-of-nisanyan/
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013
Sevan Nisanyan
WASHINGTON-The Armenian National Committee of America has welcomed
the State Department's first public expression of concern regarding
a recent Turkish court's "blasphemy" ruling against noted journalist
and writer Sevan Nisanyan, an ethnic Armenian citizen of Turkey.
In a June 7, 2013 letter, the Department of State responded to ANCA's
requests for a public U.S. position on this human rights and religious
freedom issue, by noting: "We are deeply concerned about any attempt to
punish individuals for exercising their right to free speech, including
the case of Sevan Nisanyan. The long term stability, security, and
prosperity of all countries, including Turkey are best guaranteed
by upholding the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and
association. These freedoms are crucial to any healthy democracy."
The ANCA has, in its outreach to the White House and State Department
on this case, stressed the need for a vocal American defense of
Nisanyan's right to freedom of expression, noting that the U.S.
government, despite many warning signs - including those shared by
the ANCA - remained publicly silent on Turkey's persecution of writer
Hrant Dink, until after he was assassinated in 2007. The ANCA will
continue to press for a more active and vocal U.S. defense of Nisanyan,
who has, in the past, been prosecuted and politically pressured over
his truthful statements about the Armenian Genocide.
http://asbarez.com/110747/state-dept-%E2%80%98deeply-concerned%E2%80%99-over-turkeys-prosecution-of-nisanyan/
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013
Sevan Nisanyan
WASHINGTON-The Armenian National Committee of America has welcomed
the State Department's first public expression of concern regarding
a recent Turkish court's "blasphemy" ruling against noted journalist
and writer Sevan Nisanyan, an ethnic Armenian citizen of Turkey.
In a June 7, 2013 letter, the Department of State responded to ANCA's
requests for a public U.S. position on this human rights and religious
freedom issue, by noting: "We are deeply concerned about any attempt to
punish individuals for exercising their right to free speech, including
the case of Sevan Nisanyan. The long term stability, security, and
prosperity of all countries, including Turkey are best guaranteed
by upholding the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and
association. These freedoms are crucial to any healthy democracy."
The ANCA has, in its outreach to the White House and State Department
on this case, stressed the need for a vocal American defense of
Nisanyan's right to freedom of expression, noting that the U.S.
government, despite many warning signs - including those shared by
the ANCA - remained publicly silent on Turkey's persecution of writer
Hrant Dink, until after he was assassinated in 2007. The ANCA will
continue to press for a more active and vocal U.S. defense of Nisanyan,
who has, in the past, been prosecuted and politically pressured over
his truthful statements about the Armenian Genocide.