Armenian National Committee of Canada
130 Albert St., Suite 1007
Ottawa, ON KIP 5G4
Tel: 613-235-2622
Fax: 613-238-2622
E-mail: [email protected]
Jan. 19, 2015
?Je Suis Hrant Je Suis Charlie?
Armenians Across Canada Remember
Hrant Dink and Charlie Hebdo Journalists
Ottawa, Ontario – Holding signs saying ?Je Suis Hrant Je Suis
Charlie?, Armenian communities across Canada held events this weekend
defending freedom of expression and freedom of the press by
remembering martyred journalists of the French magazine Charlie Hebdo
as well as Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, assassinated eight
years ago on January 19, 2007. Dink, a journalist and editor-in-chief
of Agos, a bilingual newspaper published in Istanbul, Turkey was shot
outside his newspaper?s offices by Turkish ultra-nationalist youth.
Armenian National Committee of Canada President, Dr. Girair Basmadjian
said ?Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu had no place in Paris
marching beside other world leaders who champion freedom of expression
and press freedom. Turkey remains the world?s greatest offender
against freedom of expression.?
Dr. Basmadjian added, ?Charlie Hebdo cartoonists would have long ago
been arrested under current Turkish law. In contrast to France?s
swift actions to dismantle the terrorist networks responsible for the
Charlie Hebdo massacre, the conspirators behind the assassination of
Hrant Dink remain free to this day. If Turkey cares about freedom of
expression, it must repeal Article 301, protect the rights of its
minority peoples to speak the truth and bring Hrant Dink?s killers to
justice.?
Dink, a Turkish citizen of Armenian descent and staunch advocate of
dialogue between Armenians and Turks as well as the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by Turkey was prosecuted and convicted under Article
301 of the Turkish penal code, and his life was constantly under
threat by Turkish ultra-nationalists. Despite knowing that Dink was
the subject of numerous threats, Turkish authorities did nothing to
protect him and some were even involved in the plot that ultimately
took his life.
Article 301 of Turkish penal code, which came into effect in 2005,
makes it illegal to ?insult? Turkey, Turkish ethnicity, or Turkish
governmental institutions. It is one of the most extreme measures
supported by the Turkish government to oppose freedom of speech
especially regarding the issue of the Armenian Genocide.
Unfortunately, eight years later, the Republic of Turkey has done
nothing to bring the true perpetrators of Dink?s assassination to
justice. As well, Turkey still remains one of the world?s worst
offenders when it comes to imprisoning journalists. In 2014, Turkey
passed new laws allowing it to control all social media. Last March,
both YouTube and Twitter were blocked in Turkey despite international
protests, including by the Canadian government. Therefore, it is
ironic that Prime Minister Davutoglu would stand with world leaders in
Paris to condemn the recent attacks on the offices of Charlie Hebdo.
Dr. Basmadjian concluded by stating that ?The ANCC stands with all
free-thinking people in condemning any attempt to violently restrict
freedom of expression. When extremists use guns to prevent us from
speaking freely, we must all make our voices heard. Je suis Hrant, je
suis Charlie.?
Contact: R. Roupen Kouyoumdjian (514) 265-4602