U.S. CONGRESSMEN HONORED THE MEMORY OF HRANT DINK
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.01.2008 15:38 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Assembly of America commends Armenian
Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Caucus
Member Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) for calling on Turkey to honor
the memory of journalist and human rights activist Hrant Dink by
repealing Article 301 of the Turkish penal code.
In separate remarks on the House floor yesterday, both lawmakers
commemorated the first anniversary of Dink’s assassination on an
Istanbul street in broad daylight on January 19, 2007. Before his
murder, Dink was awaiting trial for allegedly violating Article
301 which outlaws "insulting Turkishness," for his writings on the
Armenian Genocide.
Pallone noted that Turkey continues to persecute and incarcerate
people for exercising their universal right of freedom of speech.
"Turkey uses intimidation to deny its citizens their right to freedom
of expression," Pallone stated. "It lobbies for its so-called rightful
role in the international community and a place in the European
Union. Yet it does not live up to democratic principles and standards."
"We appreciate the efforts of Congressmen Pallone and Royce in
bringing this important issue to the forefront of Congress," said
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "It is vital that America
demonstrates its commitment to human rights, and fundamental freedoms
to the rest of the world."