RAKEL DINK URGES RAISING VOICES AGAINST DISCRIMINATION HIGHER
Tolga Korkut – Tolgakorkut@Bianet.Org

BIA
english/kategori/english/109779/rakel-dink-urges-r aising-voices-against-discrimination
Sept 17 2008
Turkey

In the panel held for the birthday of Hrant Dink, the participants
urged for more decisive struggle against discrimination.

Nor Zartonk, an organization formed by the young Armenians of Turkey
after the murder of Hrant Dink to oppose war and discrimination,
held a panel titled "To Be Minority in Turkey"on September 15 to
discuss the concepts of "minority" and "other" and to celebrate Hrant
Dink’s birthday.

One of the participants Viki Ciprut summarized the issue by stating
"Problem is not to be part of the minority, but to be discriminated
for it. We have to ask the question when and how the discrimination
will end."

In the same panel, Rakel Dink, Hrant Dink’s wife, asked the question
who to blame? Those who withdraw or those who force people to withdraw?

Rakel Dink continued:

"Of course we will raise our voice, by uniting our positive
pressures. What happens happens because those in majority say to the
others that they cannot have what they have. Whether a person or a
country, everyone should question him/herself."

"What we can do is to become a thousand, ten thousand and raise our
voice. Pain makes people rise. The past reminds its pains, too. We
will continue without letting our pain take control of us. There are
some who hear us."

Estukyan: I do not hold grudges against anyone just because my
ancestors used to live there Answering the question if the Armenian
community is resentful towards the Kurds for what happened in 1915,
Pakrat Estukyan, one of the participants of the panel, said "I am
resentful, but only towards the organization of Union and Progress. I
am resentful towards those who still say, after so many years, that
they graced 300.000 Armenians by making them Muslims, I am resentful
towards those who put up a statue in honor of Topal Osman. I do
not hold grudges against anyone just because my ancestors used to
live there. It is nationalism that uses the concept of minority as
something dangerous. Nationalism needs to be eliminated. I am against
nationalism, ethnic and religious fanaticism and discrimination."

"Ministry of Justice can still not say that it will not allow trials
under article 301."

Last week, Ministry of Justice gave permission for the continuance of
the trial of Temel Demirer under article 301. Demierer is on trial for
saying that Hrant Dink was killed not only because he was an Armenian,
but also because he recognized the genocide.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress