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HRANT DINK : ARMENIAN COMMUNITY & CHURCH COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN
_http://www.accc.org.uk/_ (http://www.accc.org.uk/)
On behalf of the British Armenian Community of the United Kingdom we
would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Hrant
Dink's wife and family for their tragic loss.
Hrant Dink will also be missed by his extended family of the Armenian
Community worldwide of which he was a prominent and respected member.
As a Turkish Citizen, whose family have had roots in Turkey for many
generations, Hrant Dink belonged to that group of Turkish
intellectuals, together with people such as Orhan Pamuk and Ragip
Zarakolu, who strived for the emancipation of the Turkish people, the
introduction of freedom of expression in Turkey and the development of
Turkey into a State which would qualify for entry into the European
Union.
As a Turkish Citizen Hrant Dink's vision of an enlightened Turkey
included the ability of Turkish people to look at their history and
recognise the mistakes and crimes committed in the past. Instead of
blind denial of historical truths, to allow for free discussion in the
Turkish Press and the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian
Genocide.
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. Hrant Dink's life will have become simply one more
Armenian life to be added to the 1.5 Million murdered Armenian lives
for which Turkey is responsible and for which it must give proper
account. Turkey must address the undeniable historical facts,
recognizing the crimes of its predecessors and must condemn them as
Genocide.
Until that day arrives, every Armenian in this World is another "Hrant
Dink" demanding justice for the crimes committed upon their people in
Turkey.
If the outpouring of grief and anger of the demonstrators in Istanbul
immediately following the assassination of Dink is indicative of a
potential change of mental attitudes, then there may be hope for
Turkey yet.
ACCC.
_http://www.accc.org.uk/_ (http://www.accc.org.uk/)
On behalf of the British Armenian Community of the United Kingdom we
would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Hrant
Dink's wife and family for their tragic loss.
Hrant Dink will also be missed by his extended family of the Armenian
Community worldwide of which he was a prominent and respected member.
As a Turkish Citizen, whose family have had roots in Turkey for many
generations, Hrant Dink belonged to that group of Turkish
intellectuals, together with people such as Orhan Pamuk and Ragip
Zarakolu, who strived for the emancipation of the Turkish people, the
introduction of freedom of expression in Turkey and the development of
Turkey into a State which would qualify for entry into the European
Union.
As a Turkish Citizen Hrant Dink's vision of an enlightened Turkey
included the ability of Turkish people to look at their history and
recognise the mistakes and crimes committed in the past. Instead of
blind denial of historical truths, to allow for free discussion in the
Turkish Press and the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian
Genocide.
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. Hrant Dink's life will have become simply one more
Armenian life to be added to the 1.5 Million murdered Armenian lives
for which Turkey is responsible and for which it must give proper
account. Turkey must address the undeniable historical facts,
recognizing the crimes of its predecessors and must condemn them as
Genocide.
Until that day arrives, every Armenian in this World is another "Hrant
Dink" demanding justice for the crimes committed upon their people in
Turkey.
If the outpouring of grief and anger of the demonstrators in Istanbul
immediately following the assassination of Dink is indicative of a
potential change of mental attitudes, then there may be hope for
Turkey yet.
ACCC.