Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
March 28, 2007
Phone: (202) 393-3434
Web:
E-mail: [email protected]
SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES LEGISLATION CONDEMNING
HRANT DINK’S MURDER
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America today commended the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee for approving S. Res. 65, condemning
the assassination of Hrant Dink and urging Turkey to abolish Article
301, which fuels anti-Armenian sentiments and precipitated this heinous
crime.
The legislation, which was introduced by Committee Chairman Joseph R.
Biden, Jr. (D-DE), passed by voice vote. S. Res. 65 takes a strong stand
on the policies and practices of the Turkish government by calling on
Ankara to repeal Article 301 of the Turkish penal code and "work
diligently to foster a more open intellectual environment in the country
that is conducive to the free exchange of ideas."
The resolution also states that Dink "was subjected to legal action
under Article 301 of the Turkish penal code for referring to the 1915
massacre of Armenians as genocide."
"Hrant Dink was a man of strong conviction who wanted, above all, to
foster greater understanding and respect between Turks and Armenians,"
said Biden. "His assassination is one more tragic reminder of why
Turkey needs to reform its laws and allow for an open discussion of
events surrounding the Armenian Genocide. It should never be a crime to
speak the truth."
"The Armenian Assembly thanks Chairman Biden for his leadership and
thanks Members of the Committee for their timely consideration of this
issue," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Hrant Dink was a
law-abiding citizen who believed in democratic ideals and peaceful
change. It is only fitting that in his memory Congress has taken a
strong stand against attempts to intimidate journalists and scholars,
and roundly condemned the criminalization of the mere mention of the
Armenian Genocide."
"Armenians, and all other minorities in Turkey, must be protected,"
Ardouny continued.
As an outspoken advocate for democratic reform and greater understanding
between Armenians and Turks, Dink worked tirelessly to improve relations
between the two communities. As a fierce defender of freedom of the
press and founder of Agos newspaper, Dink wanted to publish his views
openly. For his efforts, he was unfairly targeted by Turkish
nationalists who labeled him a "traitor," and was repeatedly prosecuted
for allegedly "insulting Turkishness" under Article 301.
Also pending before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is S. Res.
106, the Armenian Genocide resolution. The legislation, introduced by
Assistant Majority Leader Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) and Senator
John Ensign (R-NV), would reaffirm the U.S. record on the crimes of
1915.
"Passage of this legislation is also paramount," Ardouny added. "To
prevent future killings, we must affirm the historical truth and end the
vicious cycle of genocide denial."
The next step in the legislative process is consideration of S. Res. 65
by the full Senate.
For more information on Hrant Dink, including Assembly statements, media
coverage and photographs, please visit the Hrant Dink Resource Page on
the Assembly’s Web site at
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2007-039