Today’s Zaman, Turkey
June 30 2007

HRW: Dink trial a test for Turkish judiciary

The Turkish judiciary must hold accountable any security forces found
responsible for negligence or collusion in the murder of
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, a leading human rights group
said yesterday.

Evidence that will be heard in the trial, beginning on Monday, may
raise serious questions about the possible involvement of security
forces in the killing, the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW)
said in a statement.
Dink, who had called for reconciliation between Turks and Armenians,
was slain by a teenage gunman in January in downtown Ýstanbul. The
teenager, who confessed to having shot him, said he did so because
Dink "insulted Turkish-ness." The indictment alleges that one of the
three main defendants had operated as a police informer and the
police had repeatedly been informed that another defendant was
planning to kill Dink.

"Hrant Dink’s murder trial is a critical test of the Turkish
judiciary’s independence. We will be closely watching how the court
handles any evidence that may implicate the security forces" said
Holly Cartner, HRW Europe and Central Asia director. "The Turkish
authorities failed to protect Hrant Dink, despite evidence that his
life was at risk. They must now ensure that those responsible are
held to account and, where appropriate, prosecuted."

The statement said the HRW is also deeply concerned by the statements
and conduct of some officials that point to possible bias and "raise
questions about their ability to act impartially in the Dink case,"
noting a statement by head of the Ýstanbul police, Celalettin Cerrah,
soon after the killing that ruled out any political connection in the
killing and said the gunman was motivated by "nationalist
sentiments."

"In this climate of growing intolerance and violence against minority
groups, the Turkish authorities must fully investigate Dink’s murder
and bring all perpetrators to justice," said Cartner. "Failure to
ensure justice in this case would send a dangerous message."

30.06.2007

Today’s Zaman Ýstanbul