SENATE PANEL ADOPTS BIDEN RESOLUTION HONORING HRANT DINK
Armradio.am
29.03.2007 10:05
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today adopted human rights
legislation, authored by the panel’s chairman and presidential
candidate, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), condemning the murder of
journalist and human rights activist Hrant Dink and calling on the
Turkish government to repeal the law, Article 301, under which he was
prosecuted, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The measure was adopted unanimously by voice vote at the meeting
of the Committee. At its last meeting, on March 6th, the panel, at
the request of its Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R IN), had deferred
consideration of the legislation for three weeks. During this time,
the measure came under heavy attack from both the Turkish government
and its allies in the Administration. Despite their efforts to cut
any reference to the Armenian Genocide, the resolution noted Dink’s
persecution because of his speech on the Genocide.
The legislation condemns Hrant Dink’s murder as "a shameful act of
cowardice perpetrated with contempt for law, justice, and decency,"
and honors his commitment to "democratic values, non-violence, and
media freedom." It specifically notes that he was "subjected to legal
action under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for referring to
the 1915 massacre of Armenians as genocide."
It also calls on the Turkish government to repeal this anti-free
speech law and "work diligently to foster a more open intellectual
environment."
"We want to thank Chairman Biden for his leadership in honoring Hrant
Dink’s memory by urging the Turkish government to repeal Article 301 –
the law under which he was prosecuted," said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian.
"Article 301, and others on the books in Turkey, reflect and encourage
the envi ronment of hatred and intolerance that the Turkish government
has long fostered against Armenians – particularly those who speak
truthfully about the Armenian Genocide."
"We were, of course, troubled by the Turkish Government and State
Department’s shameless opposition to this resolution condemning the
murder of Hrant Dink," added Hamparian. "We look forward to working
with Chairman Biden in the coming weeks toward the adoption of the
Armenian Genocide resolution and in sending a clear signal that
genocide denial will not be tolerated by the U.S. Congress or the
American people."
The version of S.Res. 65 adopted today was an amended version of
the text initially introduced by Senator Biden. The original version
included a more direct reference to the Armenian Genocide and a more
pointed mention of Turkey’s responsibility for its blockade and
refusal to normalize relations with Armenia. The State Department
and Turkish government, despite their aggressive lobbying, were
unsuccessful in removing reference to the Armenian Genocide from the
resolution. Similar legislation has been introduced in the US House
by Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY).