Federation of Armenian Organisations of the Netherlands (FAON)
24 April committee for recognition and commemoration of the Armenian
genocide of 1915
Address: Weesperstraat 91 – The Hague
K.v.K. 27264382
E-mail: armfed@gmail.com
Website:
Contact: M. Hakhverdian

Press Release

Demonstration in The Hague for Hrant Dink

Armenians, Turks, Kurds, Arameans for the first time together in a
demonstration; large interest of politics and press; Turkish embassy refuses
to receive declaration.

The Hague, 23 January 2007 – The cooperating Armenian organisations in the
Netherlands held a demonstration and a silent march on 23 January in The
Hague for Armenian journalist Hrant Dink assassinated last Friday in
Istanbul. Approximately 1000 persons gathered at the square Het Plein near
the building of the House of Representatives (Dutch Parliament). The
demonstration started at 1 p.m. Approximately at the time of the burial of
Dink in Istanbul. The square was filled with sounds of Armenian classical
and medieval music.

Armenians coming from all parts of the country, met on the square with
Turks, Kurds, Arameans, Assyrians and Dutch to emphasise their outrage for
the assassination of Dink. The participants were carrying banners, posters
and badges with the portrait of Dink and placards with inscription "We are
all Hrant Dink, We are all Armenians". Also flyers with the portrait and
biography of Dink and the declaration of the organisation in reaction to
Dink murder were distributed. After a two-minutes silence representatives of
Armenian, Turkish and Kurdish organisations as well as Members of Dutch
Parliament from CDA (Christian Democrat), GroenLinks (Greens) and Socialist
Party factions came to the stage to express their indignation at murder of
Dink. Core of the messages was the condemnation of the assassination of
Dink, Turkey being also responsible for the murder in view of the Turkish
Penal Code (TPC) and the lack of required police protection for the
frequently threatened Dink.

In the new form of dialogue and cooperation between the different ethnic
groups – in the spirit of Dink – hope was raised for a better future for all
in Turkey and abroad.

In the House of Representatives a delegation submitted a declaration to the
chairman of the Permanent Commission on Foreign Affairs Mr. Hans van Baalen
(VVD Party). Other members of the Commission, like Mr. Koenders and Mr.
Timmermans (PvdA – Labour Party), Mr. van Dijk (CDA – Christian Democrat),
Mr. van der Staaij (SGP), Ms. Marieko Peters (GroenLinks – Greens) also
attended this meeting. It was remarkable that two Members of Parliament of
Turkish origin, namely Mr. Coruz (CDA) and Ms. Koser Kaya (D66) also were
present.

In the declaration, signed by Armenian, Turkish, Kurdish, Aramean and
Assyrian organisations, the Parliament was asked to adopt a still more
critical attitude towards Turkey with respect to the freedom of speech and
the rights of minorities. This is important, because there is a direct
relation between the condemnation of Dink under Article 301 TPC and the fact
that Dink clearly spoke about the Armenian Genocide and also because he was
an Armenian. Mr. Van Baalen assured the delegation that the Parliament will
follow closely the investigation to the murder of Dink. Mr. Van Baalen added
that according to the motion Mr. Rouvoet of 2004 the Dutch Parliament has
recognised the Armenian Genocide and it will stick entirely to this motion
in its relation with Turkey.

Then in a silent march the participants marched to the Turkish embassy and
assembled in front of the embassy at the Malieveld field. During the march
they were carrying a large portrait of Dink followed by a banner with the
text "Armenian Genocide, when will it stop?" At the Malieveld, a delegation
went to the Turkish embassy to submit the same declaration to the
ambassador. In spite of the fact that it was announced in advance that a
delegation would come to hand over a declaration to the Ambassador, the
doors of embassy remained closed. The Dutch police was charged to bring the
declaration to the embassy later. The participants were disappointed of the
embassy¹s is attitude, because they were hoping that the spirit of dialogue
and openness would have reached also the Turkish embassy.

National and regional TV, radio and other media were present and covered the
event positively.

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