Worldwide Faith News (press release), NY
Jan 20 2007
NCC condemns murder of Turkish-Armenian editor, calls for justice
>From "Daniel Webster" <dwebster@ncccusa.org>
Date Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:26:01 -0500
NCC condemns murder of Turkish-Armenian editor, calls for justice
New York City, January 19, 2007–The murder this morning of Hrant
Dink in Istanbul, Turkey "is a devastating development," said
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate and ecumenical officer,
Diocese of the Armenian Orthodox Church of America. "The Armenian
people around the world are mourning his death," said Archbishop
Aykazian, who is also president-elect of the National Council of
Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC).
Dink, 53, was owner/editor of Agos, the largest weekly
Turkish-Armenian newspaper in Istanbul. Dink and Archbishop Aykazian,
a Turkish-born Armenian, were lifelong friends having attended the
same seminary school together.
"He’s the latest victim of the Turkish genocide of the Armenian
people that began in 1915," said Archbishop Aykazian. "He died
because he had the courage to say there was a genocide" by the
Ottoman Turks against Armenians, he said.
Dink had been convicted of insulting Turkish identity for publicly
writing about the Armenian genocide and was given a suspended
sentence. New laws in Turkey forbid negative public statements
criticizing the country.
"The NCC calls on the U.S. State Department to use whatever influence
possible to make sure this political assassination is fully
investigated with courage and clarity," said the Rev. Bob Edgar, the
NCC’s general secretary. "The Turkish government must show it will
defend the rights and the lives of religious and ethnic minorities,"
Edgar said. The archbishop said Pope Benedict called for protection
of religious minorities during his November visit to Turkey.
Archbishop Aykazian recalled a recent trip to Los Angeles with Dink
where they spoke to members of the Armenian community.
"Hrant said he was not afraid for himself," said the archbishop, "but
he was afraid for his children."
News reports said Dink had spoken of the possibility of leaving
Turkey because he felt he was no longer welcome in his own country.
"I am praying for my friend and colleague, Archbishop Vicken," said
the Rev. Michael Livingston, president of the NCC and executive
director of the International Council of Community Churches. "This is
a time for us to hold in prayer all of the Armenian people."
Last September Archbishop Aykazian and the Rev. Edgar led a mission
trip to Armenia with Habitat for Humanity.
"We learned a lot about the Armenian people during our ten days
there," said Edgar. "They are proud to be recognized as the first
Christian country and they are determined to stand firm against
genocide because they know firsthand its effects," he said.
The Turkish prime minister went on national television condemning the
murder and announced two suspects were in custody, according to news
reports.
Archbishop Aykazian will automatically become president of the NCC in
January 2008. The NCC is America’s ecumenical voice of 35 Orthodox,
Protestant, Anglican, historic African American and traditional peace
denominations. Together those churches represent 45 million members
in 100,000 congregations.
——
NCC News contact: Dan Webster, 212.870.2252, NCCnews@ncccusa.org.
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