Noted Armenian intellectual and editor of the Agos newspaper, on Friday, January 19, fell victim to the vicious bullet of a Turk, creating widespread anger in the Armenian world and the international community. It is a reality that Hrant Dink was murdered because of: Using his right to free expression and for having the conviction to speak the truth His unwavering position on recognition of the Armenian Genocide His opposition to the Turkish government’s policy of discrimination against its minorities and its ultra-nationalist posturing. To avoid the assassination of new Hrant Dinks, we demand that: The Turkish government end its denial of the Genocide and its policies of discrimination The Turkish state reexamine those elements of its constitution and laws–especially Article 301–that prevent it from being a part of civilized society The US government end its policy of denial of the Armenian Genocide, which fuels Turkey’s ability to continue its policies. Finally, we hope that the academic community in Turkey will continue its just and humane approach demonstrated in the wake of Dink’s murder, and will serve as the basis for Dink’s ideal that Turkey completely own up to its history and its ramifications, especially the un-refutable fact of the Armenian Genocide. Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee Armenian Democratic League Western US Regional Executive Social Democratic Hunchakian Party Western US Executive Board
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