Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
ancawr@anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
January 22, 2007
Contact: Lerna Kayserian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ANCA-WR LEADS COMMUNITY IN CONDEMNING MURDER OF JOURNALIST HRANT DINK
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) led community-wide efforts this week in condemning the
murder of Hrant Dink. Dink, an outspoken champion of freedom of speech and
acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide, was shot dead last Friday in front
of the offices of AGOS, an Armenian/Turkish bilingual newspaper based in
Istanbul, Turkey.
An ANCA-WR press conference held on Saturday to condemn Dink’s assassination
was covered by KCBS, KNBC, KABC and KCAL television news stations and by KFI
and KFWB radio stations. A staff writer for the Los Angeles Times and other
reporters were also present to cover the story. The ANCA-WR press
conference included the participation of leaders from over 25 Armenian
American community organizations in the greater Los Angeles area, human
rights organizations, and other interest groups who gathered in front of the
Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles for the press conference.
"While one or two people may be ultimately identified as Hrant Dink’s
killers, the blood is on the hands of the Turkish Government, and by
extension our own U.S. government, from this latest victim of the Armenian
Genocide." remarked Zanku Armenian, ANCA-WR Board Member and spokesman at
the press conference. "It is the apex of hypocrisy for the Turkish
government to condemn this murder when it is they who have emboldened a
culture of intolerance, hate, and genocide with their continuing denial of
the Armenian Genocide, and their prosecution of Turkish citizens who attempt
to speak the truth and have an open dialogue about this dark chapter in
Turkey’s history."
Also addressing the media were California State Assembly Member Paul
Krekorian (D-43rd), Frank Zerunyan, Mayor Pro-Tem of Rolling Hills Estates
and Chairman of the Armenian Bar Association, Glendale City Council Member
Ara Najarian and Carla Garapedian, director of the movie, "SCREAMERS". Dink
was prominently featured in "SCREAMERS", a documentary movie about the
ongoing cycle of genocide in the world. In the movie the slain journalist
addressed the persecution of those seeking to drive dialogue in Turkey about
the issue of the Armenian Genocide.
Katusha Galitzine, Freedom to Write Director from PEN USA joined the
community in condemning the murder. PEN USA, based in Los Angeles, is the
national affiliate of International PEN, a prominent, world-wide
organization for writers that champions freedom of speech issues. On
Friday, International PEN issued a statement on Dink’s murder which stated,
in part, "Dink, whose campaign against the law making it a crime to insult
the Turkish State, particularly as it relates to the killings of Armenians
in the early years of the last century, has paid the highest price with his
own life."
The ANCA-WR was joined at the press conference by representatives from the
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church Western United States, Diocese of
the Armenian Apostolic Church Western United States, the Armenian Catholic
Exarchate of North America, the Organization of Istanbul Armenians, the
Ramgavar Party, the American Hellenic Council, the United Human Rights
Council, representatives from Armenian Student Associations, Armenian
Revolutionary Federation, Armenian Relief Society, Hamazkayin Cultural
Association, Homenetmen, Armenian Youth Federation, and the ANC Professional
Network.
ANCs around the globe condemn Dink murder
On Friday, the ANCA released a statement condemning the murder. "Hrant
Dink’s murder is tragic proof that the Turkish government – through its
campaign of denial, threats and intimidation against the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide – continues to fuel the same hatred and intolerance that
initially led to this crime against humanity more than 90 years ago," said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
Also on Friday, the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy
released a statement in which EAFJD Chairwoman Hilda Tchoboian declared, "In
a country where the system of education and the political culture moulds the
minds of the people with hatred towards the Non-Turkish citizens of the
country and where racism is rampant with extreme-right organizations
occupying a place of honour, this is a sad reminder that things are far from
changing in today’s Turkey. This vile murder proves once again that racism
has deep roots in Turkey."
On Saturday, the San Francisco-Bay Area ANC hosted a community event
featuring Turkish scholar, Dr. Taner Akcam, on the occasion of the recent
release of his book A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question
of Turkish Responsibility. Following the event, Akcam, a friend of Dink’s,
flew to Turkey to attend his funeral.
On Sunday, the Central California ANC hosted director Carla Garapedian on
the occasion of the local premier of her newly released movie SCREAMERS.
Both the San Francisco and Fresno area events were covered by local print,
radio, and television media.
In the news.
* ANCA Comments on Dink Assassination on CNN
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* ANCA-WR Comments on Dink Assassination on KCBS News
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* ANCA-WR Comments on Dink Assassination in Saturday edition of the
Los Angeles Times
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* ANCA-WR Comments on Dink Assassination in Sunday edition of the
Los Angeles Times
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* ANCA-WR Comments on Dink Assassination on National Public Radio,
Los Angeles Affiliate KPCC
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* ANCA-WR Comments on Dink Assassination covered by London’s
Guardian Unlimited
2007/01/wave_of_condemnation_at_murder.html
Prose cuted for his outspoken references to the Armenian Genocide of the
early 20th century, the Turkish judiciary recently upheld a six-month
suspended sentence against Hrant Dink for "insulting Turkishness." Several
other prominent voices of dissent against the Turkish Government’s official
policy of genocide denial have been similarly charged under Article 301 of
the Turkish criminal code. The code, a continuation of previous penal codes
outlawing discussion of the Armenian Genocide, continues to draw sharp
criticism from the European Union, which Turkey hopes to join.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout
the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.