Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
January 29, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]
REPRESENTATIVE CROWLEY INTRODUCES RESOLUTION IN CONGRESS CONDEMNING THE
ASSASSINATION OF HRANT DINK
Washington DC – The Armenian Assembly today commended Armenian Caucus
Member Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) for introducing a resolution in the
House of Representatives condemning the assassination of Armenian
journalist and citizen of Turkey Hrant Dink. Prior to his murder he was
convicted under Turkish Law for his public comments on the Armenian
Genocide.
"It is of utmost importance that the U.S. Congress adopt this resolution
condemning the brutal killing of Hrant Dink and send a message that
Turkey must protect the rights of all religious and ethnic minorities
indiscriminately," said Representative Crowley. "It is past time for
Turkey to abolish Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code which
precipitated this heinous crime."
The bipartisan resolution calls on the House to strongly condemn the
tragic murder of Hrant Dink, as well as urge Turkey to continue its
investigation and prosecution of those individuals responsible for his
death. Furthermore, the legislation encourages Turkey to take
appropriate action to protect freedom of speech by repealing Article
301, which criminalizes public discussion on the Armenian Genocide.
"The Assembly thanks Congressman Crowley for introducing this timely and
appropriate legislation condemning this deplorable crime," said
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Hrant Dink was a fierce defender of
freedom of the press and an outspoken advocate for democratic reform.
His death should serve as an impetus for true and honest reforms in
Turkey. Denial of the historical truth is not in anyone’s best interest
and affirmation of the truth will provide a basis to move forward. We
just witnessed the worse consequence of denial with the murder of Hrant
Dink in Turkey."
Cosponsors of the resolution include: Joe Baca (D-CA), Lois Capps
(D-CA), Michael Capuano (D-MA), John Conyers (D-MI), Jim Costa (D-CA),
Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Mark S. Kirk (R-IL), Joseph
Knollenberg (R-MI), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Frank A. LoBiondo (R-NJ),
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James P. McGovern (D-MA),
Michael R. McNulty (D-NY), Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Frank Pallone, Jr.
(D-NJ), Jon C. Porter (R-NV), George P. Radanovich (R-CA), Dana
Rohrabacher (R-CA), Steven R. Rothman (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA),
Fortney "Pete" Stark (D-CA), Diane Watson (D-CA) and Anthony D. Weiner
(D-NY).
The Assembly has been mobilizing its grassroots activists to honor Hrant
Dink and his vision, through their support of congressional actions and
participation in various memorial services and vigils across the
country. As a part of this effort, the Assembly last week placed a full
page ad in Roll Call – a leading Capitol Hill newspaper – encouraging
congressional passage of this resolution.
To contact and encourage your Member of Congress to cosponsor this bill
as well as the Armenian Genocide Resolution, which will be introduced
tomorrow, go to the Assembly’s Web site at , enter
your zip code in the Contact Congress box and click "Go." For more
information on Hrant Dink, please visit the Hrant Dink Resource Page on
the Assembly’s Web site at
Th e Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2007-021
Editors Note: Below is the full text of the Crowley Resolution, which
was introduced today in the House of Representatives.
110TH CONGRESS
H.Res.102
Condemning the assassination of human rights advocate and outspoken
defender of freedom of the press, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink
on January 19, 2007.
Whereas, on January 19, 2007, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was
murdered as he exited the Istanbul, Turkey, office of Agos Newspaper;
Whereas Hrant Dink was a fierce defender of the freedom of the press and
speech, an outspoken advocate for democratic reform, and a champion of
human rights and tolerance;
Whereas Hrant Dink was a man of conviction and principle who believed in
democratic ideals and peaceful change;
Whereas, in Istanbul in 1996, Hrant Dink founded a bilingual newspaper
called Agos, in part to foster dialogue and understanding between
Armenians and Turks;
Whereas Hrant Dink was honored by his media colleagues around the world
for his courage and principles and was awarded the prestigious Bjornson
Prize for Literature for his publications on the Armenian Genocide;
Whereas Hrant Dink was prosecuted and convicted under Article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code for speaking about the Armenian Genocide; and
Whereas the United States was founded on the principles of democracy and
liberty where freedom of expression is cherished and protected: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives –
(1) strongly condemns and deplores the assassination of Hrant Dink;
(2) urges the Government of Turkey to continue its investigation and
prosecution of those individuals responsible for the murder of Hrant
Dink and
(3) urges the Government of Turkey to take appropriate action to protect
the freedom of speech in Turkey by repealing Article 301 of the Turkish
Penal Code and by unswervingly opposing intolerance, intimidation, and
violence against individuals who are exercising their natural right of
freedom of speech.
Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
/2007-021-1.jpg
Caption: Representative Joseph Crowley (D-NY).