Armenian Assembly of America
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PRESS RELEASE
June 17, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
CONGRESSMAN BILIRAKIS QUESTIONS WHY TURKEY CONTINUES TO PROSECUTE
INDIVIDUALS WHO DISCUSS THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Washington, DC – In a hearing yesterday before the Subcommittee on
Europe in the House of Representatives, Congressman Gus Bilirakis
(R-FL), raised strong concerns regarding the Turkish government’s
ongoing prosecution of journalists and academics under the auspices of
Article 301, which penalizes discussion of the Armenian Genocide.
Rep. Bilirakis asked Philip Gordon, Assistant Secretary for Bureau of
European and Eurasian Affairs at the Department of State, who was
testifying about the Administration’s policies in Europe, "In light of
Turkey’s continued prosecution of intellectuals who express themselves,
what steps will you outline with the Turkish government to ensure
greater freedom of press and expression in Turkey?"
Gordon replied, "The U.S., everywhere, and the Obama Administration, is
a strong proponent of freedom of expression, freedom of the media,
freedom of the press, free societies. Turkey took some steps last year
to revise Article 301 of its penal code, that made it more difficult to
have political prosecutions, that was an important step forward.
[Turkey] would do well to continue down that path and allow for more
freedom of expression. And we have a constant dialogue with the Turkish
government about these issues and we’ll continue to make that view
clear."
"The Assembly commends Congressman Bilirakis for his defense of the
truth. Whether it is Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, highly paid
lobbyists arguing against the Armenian Genocide Resolution in Congress
or lawsuits filed in U.S. courts, such as the recent Massachusetts case
in which a federal judge upheld the Commonwealth’s decision to exclude
genocide denial materials in its curriculum, Turkey’s campaign of denial
continues," stated Assembly Executive Director, Bryan Ardouny.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c) (3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
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NR#2009-055
Editor’s Note:
Complete written testimony of Philip Gordon, Assistant Secretary for
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the Department of State.
_1/Q2_2009/Gordon_testimony_Ju
ne_16_2009.pdf