Armenian protest over murder
January 25, 2007 12:00am
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia
Jan 24 2007
MORE than 500 members of Sydney’s Armenian community rallied outside
the city’s Turkish consulate yesterday in protest at the murder of
outspoken journalist Hrant Dink.
Mr Dink, 52, was shot outside his newspaper office in Istanbul on
Friday.
Many believe he was a target because of his criticism of the Turkish
Government over its continued refusal to acknowledge the Armenian
genocide at the end of World War I.
Up to 600 Sydney-based Armenians gathered outside the Turkish
consulate to express their anger at Mr Dink’s death, said Armenian
National Committee of Australia president Tro Kortian.
Protesters called on the Turkish Government to punish the teenager
who confessed to Mr Dink’s murder, and also urged it to acknowledge
the Armenian genocide.
Dr Kortian said it had been a peaceful rally.
"The purpose was to convey the community’s collective indignation as
well as to add the community’s voice to the international
condemnation regarding the assassination of Hrant Dink," he said.
Dr Kortian said the Turkish Government’s continuing denial of the
genocide was feeding an atmosphere of intolerance and racial hatred.
Consular officials refused to accept a letter from a delegation of
protesters, but Dr Kortian said he was confident the message had been
heard.
Speeches in Armenian and English, and a tribute to Mr Dink’s life and
work featured in the one-hour protest.
Between 25,000 and 30,000 Armenians live in Sydney.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
