STREET IN FRENCH LYON TO BE NAMED AFTER HRANT DINK

ARMENPRESS
Jan 17 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: A street in France’s second largest
city of Lyon will be named after Hrant Dink, a prominent Turkish
Armenian journalist killed a year ago outside the office of his
bilingual Agos weekly in Istanbul.

Ms. Hilda Choboyan, chairwoman of the European Armenian Federation
for Justice, said to Armenpress the ceremony will be attended by
Lyon mayor.

She said commemorative events will be held also in many European
cities on January 19, which will mark the first anniversary of Dink’s
murder. One of the events will be held in the Dutch city of Assen’s
De Boskampe cemetery near a monument to the victims of the Armenian
genocide.

In a related event the International Press Institute (IPI), the global
network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over
120 countries, criticized in an open letter the ongoing failure of
the Turkish government to reform the internationally denounced article
301 of the Turkish penal code.

IPI recognized Hrant Dink last year as World Press Freedom Hero.

"Article 301, which criminalizes ‘insults to Turkishness’, has serious
ramifications for freedom of speech in Turkey," said David Dadge,
IPI Director.

"By silencing speech on certain issues, the article risks fuelling
hatred and violence in Turkish society.

Bearing in mind that Dink was murdered by a Turkish nationalist,
it is possible that his murderer felt in some way justified by the
fact that Dink had broken this pernicious law. Indeed, it is likely
that he may have become a target in the first place due to the high
profile nature of the trial."

"For this reason, article 301 may encourage a vicious cycle of
violence, leaving those brave enough to speak out on taboo subjects
in Turkey isolated and possibly in grave danger."

The IPI strongly urged the government of Turkey to ensure that article
301 is repealed, along with other articles in the Turkish penal code
which inhibit freedom of expression and which do not conform to the
standards expected of a modern democracy.