CROWLEY COMMEMORATES THE LIFE OF HRANT DINK AND CALLS FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN TURKEY

EmpireStateNews.net
http://www.empirestate news.net/News/20080121-6.html
Jan 21 2008
New York

Washington – On the eve of the one-year anniversary marking the murder
of Hrant Dink, US Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens and the Bronx)
spoke on the House Floor commemorating his life and dedication to
Turkish-Armenian reconciliation. Crowley also used this opportunity to
reiterate his calls for the Turkish government to immediately repeal
Article 301 of the Turkish penal code.

Hrant Dink founded the bilingual weekly newspaper Agos in April
1996, to foster a dialogue and encourage understanding between the
Turkish-Armenian community and the larger Turkish population. He served
as its editor until Jan. 19, 2007, when he was shot dead outside of
Agos’ main office in downtown Istanbul.

"Today, I join the Turkish and Armenian communities in mourning the
one-anniversary of the loss of Hrant Dink," Crowley said. "Hrant
Dink was a man of conviction and principle who fought for tolerance,
understanding, and greater civil rights for all of Turkey’s citizens.

He was a fierce defender of freedom of the press and speech because he
believed that everyone should have the right to know the truth about
their past, and his murder was an act of cowardice and senselessness."

Journalists and the media community around the world recognized and
honored Hrant Dink for his courage and principles, and he was awarded
the prestigious Bjornson Prize for Literature for his publications
on the Armenian genocide. Hrant Dink’s support for human rights and
outspokenness of injustices in Turkey against ethnic Armenians won
him notoriety with authorities, who prosecuted and convicted him in
court for insulting "Turkishness" in Turkey under Article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code.

Crowley introduced legislation in the US House of Representatives,
condemning Mr. Hrant Dink’s assassination as well as urging the
Government of Turkey to repeal Article 301 of the Turkish penal code,
which prohibits free speech and is used to silence critics.