RA NA CONDEMNS

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[08:06 pm] 08 February, 2007

The political forces, factions and parties of the RA NA, issued
joint statement condemning Hrant Dink’s assassination and the events
following it.

"RA NA condemns the murder of Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of "Agos",
and views it as a crime committed against the representative of
freedom of expression, human rights and Armenian minority."

The RA NA states that via their inhuman crime the Turkish nationalists
try to strengthen hatred towards Armenians and hold anti-Armenian
preaching. The ignorance of their own history, the denial of the 1915
Armenian Genocide, as well as the pursuit of numerous intelligentsia
representatives testify to the fact that the Turkish authorities
strive to silence the spirit of freedom.

We express our concern over the recent events and reaction caused by
the brutal crime. We see the reverse reaction; instead of revealing
the murder and punishing the real criminals, we see a tendency
of making the criminal a national hero, of enhancing the ideas of
nationalism which result in new threats in address of the staff of
"Agos" newspaper, and Armenians.

We are indignant at the fact that the remedial bodies were aware of
the attack beforehand and took no measures to prevent it. Today the
disclosure of the whole criminal grouping is but a must.

This murder once more testifies to the fact that the recognition of
the Armenian genocide and self-history, and the abolition of Article
301 of the Penal Code which violates the freedom of expression are
the priorities of the Turkish authorities in order to create the
atmosphere of mutual trust between the two nations."

RA NA factions and parties

Republican Party of RA

"Justice" Faction

Orinats Yerkir Faction

"National Unity" Faction

United Labour Faction

Yerevan, 8.02.2007