Hrant Dink Murder Result of Turkey's Racist Policy

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian Community and Church Council of Great Britain condemned the assassination of Agos newspaper editor Hrant Dink. "If Hrant Dink was assassinated because of his progressive ideas for the good of Turkey, then that is a loss for Turkey. Until free-thinking people like Hrant Dink, Pamuk and Zarakolu are allowed to express their opinions without legal restraints in Turkey, then Turkey cannot claim to be part of the Free World. If Hrant Dink was assassinated because he was an Armenian and for his active efforts for Turkey to allow free discussion of the Armenian Genocide, then he has become a victim of Turkish Racism and Extreme Nationalism," their statement says.



For its part, the Halabja Center against the Anfal campaign and genocide of the Kurds (CHAK) condemns the assassination of the Armenian journalist. "This assassination is a result of Turkey's racist policy towards anyone questioning Turkishness and Turkey's unity. It is clearly a political assassination that shows the depth of hatred contained in Turkism. The Turkish government convicted Hrank Dink of insulting Turkish identity in 2005, which is proof of Turkey's intolerant policy toward freedom of speech and different thinking. Turkey's government was well aware about the threats Mr. Dink received daily, as he frequently informed the authorities. But they did nothing to prevent this crime. Thus Turkey carries a heavy responsibility for this murder," says the statement.