Armenian National Committee of America
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Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
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Email anca@anca.org
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PRESS RELEASE
March 28, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

SENATE PANEL ADOPTS BIDEN RESOLUTION HONORING HRANT DINK

— Legislation Calls for Repeal of Article 301

— ANCA Thanks Senator Biden, Urges Adoption
of the Armenian Genocide Resolution

WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today
adopted human rights legislation, authored by the panel’s chairman
and presidential candidate, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), condemning
the murder of journalist and human rights activist Hrant Dink and
calling on the Turkish government to repeal the law, Article 301,
under which he was prosecuted, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).

The measure was adopted unanimously by voice vote at today’s
meeting of the Committee. At its last meeting, on March 6th, the
panel, at the request of its Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN),
had deferred consideration of the legislation for three weeks.
During this time, the measure came under heavy attack from both the
Turkish government and its allies in the Administration. Despite
their efforts to cut any reference to the Armenian Genocide, the
resolution noted Dink’s persecution because of his speech on the
Genocide.

The legislation condemns Hrant Dink’s murder as "a shameful act of
cowardice perpetrated with contempt for law, justice, and decency,"
and honors his commitment to "democratic values, non-violence, and
media freedom." It specifically notes that he was "subjected to
legal action under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for
referring to the 1915 massacre of Armenians as genocide." It also
calls on the Turkish government to repeal this anti-free speech law
and "work diligently to foster a more open intellectual
environment."

"We want to thank Chairman Biden for his leadership in honoring
Hrant Dink’s memory by urging the Turkish government to repeal
Article 301 – the law under which he was prosecuted," said ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Article 301, and others on the
books in Turkey, reflect and encourage the environment of hatred
and intolerance that the Turkish government has long fostered
against Armenians – particularly those who speak truthfully about
the Armenian Genocide."

"We were, of course, troubled by the Turkish Government and State
Department’s shameless opposition to this resolution condemning the
murder of Hrant Dink," added Hamparian. "We look forward to
working with Chairman Biden in the coming weeks toward the adoption
of the Armenian Genocide resolution and in sending a clear signal
that genocide denial will not be tolerated by the U.S. Congress or
the American people."

The Armenian Genocide resolution (S.Res.106) was introduced by
Assistant Majority Leader Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Senator John
Ensign (R-NV) and currently has 25 cosponsors. Its companion bill
in the House, H.Res.106, introduced by Representatives Adam Schiff
(D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Thaddeus McCotter (R-
MI), currently has over 180 cosponsors.

In the days leading up to today’s vote, ANCA activists in the
twenty-one states with Senators on the Committee encouraged support
for S.Res.65 through phone calls, faxes, and meetings. They also
reminded Senate offices that Hrant Dink’s brutal murder is a wake
up call for the U.S. Senate to pass S.Res.106.

Hrant Dink, editor of the bilingual Armenian/Turkish "Agos"
newspaper, was gunned down outside his office in Istanbul on
January 19th – sparking worldwide protests and renewed scrutiny of
Turkey’s repression of free speech and international campaign of
Armenian Genocide denial.

The version of S.Res. 65 adopted today was an amended version of
the text initially introduced by Senator Biden. The original
version included a more direct reference to the Armenian Genocide
and a more pointed mention of Turkey’s responsibility for its
blockade and refusal to normalize relations with Armenia. The
State Department and Turkish government, despite their aggressive
lobbying, were unsuccessful in removing reference to the Armenian
Genocide from the resolution. Similar legislation has been
introduced in the U.S. House by Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY).

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress