Prior to the approval by a Turkish parliamentary committee of a bill stripping parliamentarians of their immunity, a physical fight broke out on May 2 between members of the Peoplesā Democratic Party (HDP) and the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) party. , both physically and through hate speech. Paylan called the attack a premeditated ālynchingā campaign in a press statement on May 3. This was the second fight in parliament in the past five days.
In a statement following the attack, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) said it had repeatedly and unsuccessfully called on the U.S. government to condemn the political prosecution, persecution, and threats directed against Agos Editor Hrant Dink prior to his 2007 murder. The statement reads:
āPrior to his 2007 murder on the streets of Istanbul, theĀ ANCAĀ repeatedly – but, ultimately, unsuccessfully – called on the U.S. government to condemn the political prosecution, persecution and threats directed against this courageous Armenian journalist for his “crime” of speaking honestly about the Armenian Genocide
American presidents like calling for a “full, frank and just acknowledgement of the facts,” as long as they’re not the ones doing the acknowledging. Brave talk, but no action, a sad surrender to foreign pressure.
It was Hrant – living under Erdogan’s dagger – who demonstrated the courage that U.S. leaders lacked.
Despite all our efforts and the clear facts on the ground, theĀ U.S. Department of StateĀ andĀ The White HouseĀ could not find their way to utter even one public word in his defense. One expression of concern. One word on his behalf. That is, until his death.
It was only after Hrant Dink was murdered in cold blood that the U.S. government found its voice, condemning a murder it did nothing to prevent.
Let us work to ensure that the same fate does not befallĀ Garo PaylanĀ – a truth teller and peace maker who deserves the support, not the silence, of the elected representatives of the American people.ā