Kuwait News Agency, Kuwait
Jan 24 2007
Ligabo deeply concerned over the murder of Hrant Dink
MDA-TURKEY-JOURNALIST
Ligabo deeply concerned over the murder of Hrant Dink
GENEVA, Jan 24 (KUNA) — The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Ambeyi
Ligabo, expressed his deep concern over the murder of Hrant Dink, a
respected journalist and intellectual, known for his critical work on
a specific period of the history of Turkey.
In his forthcoming report to the fourth session of the Human Rights
Council, the Special Rapporteur stresses that the exercise of freedom
of speech should always be guaranteed for the consideration of
historical events.
Most unfortunately, he adds, extreme polarization of views, in
conjunction with a perverted sense of national identity, has again
inspired the accomplishment of an ominous act, which has curtailed
the practicability of debating, in a tolerant and open manner, a
subject of wide general interest.
Ligabo adds that safety of media workers remains one of the core
issues to ensure the full exercise of the right to freedom of
expression, a key component of all democratic societies.
Governments and state institutions, he adds, have the primary
responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of citizens,
including journalists and other media professionals.
In this connection, the Special Rapporteur is encouraged by the
prompt reaction of the Government of Turkey, and hopes that
investigations will shed light on all aspects of this heinous
crime.(end) hn.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
