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Café Babel, France
Jan 30 2007
Hrant Dink: Turkey remembers
The murder of Hrant Dink, 53, Turkish journalist of Armenian descent
and a strong advocate of membership in the European Union, has
stirred emotions in Turkey
«`Hrant was the perfect target for those who want to hinder the
democratisation of Turkey and its entry into the European Union',
declared a reporter for Agos, the bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly
of which Hrant Dink was co-founder and editor in chief.
The murder on January 19 of this journalist and outspoken political
figure has generated indignation and grief not only in the Armenian
community, but also amongst all those who value democracy and liberty
in Turkey.
Turks of all origins congregated this week to pay their final
respects to Dink before the offices of Argos. Crowds of thousands
chanted `We are all Armenians', announcing the potential for this
traumatic event to help reconcile Turks and Armenians.
In the aftermath of Hrant Dink's death, the Turkish government faces
renewed calls for human rights reform, including the abolition of
article 301 of the penal code, under which Dink was given a suspended
sentence of six months in prison for writing about the Armenian
genocide.
Since the 19th, thousands of demonstrators have gathered each day to
pay tribute to Hrant Dink. Nearly 100, 000 people came together in
his funeral procession last Tuesday; ample proof of the existence of
an active civil society in Turkey, ready to push the country towards
European-style democratisation.
Photos: http://www.cafebabel.com/en/article.asp?T=T&Id =9810
Jan 30 2007
Hrant Dink: Turkey remembers
The murder of Hrant Dink, 53, Turkish journalist of Armenian descent
and a strong advocate of membership in the European Union, has
stirred emotions in Turkey
«`Hrant was the perfect target for those who want to hinder the
democratisation of Turkey and its entry into the European Union',
declared a reporter for Agos, the bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly
of which Hrant Dink was co-founder and editor in chief.
The murder on January 19 of this journalist and outspoken political
figure has generated indignation and grief not only in the Armenian
community, but also amongst all those who value democracy and liberty
in Turkey.
Turks of all origins congregated this week to pay their final
respects to Dink before the offices of Argos. Crowds of thousands
chanted `We are all Armenians', announcing the potential for this
traumatic event to help reconcile Turks and Armenians.
In the aftermath of Hrant Dink's death, the Turkish government faces
renewed calls for human rights reform, including the abolition of
article 301 of the penal code, under which Dink was given a suspended
sentence of six months in prison for writing about the Armenian
genocide.
Since the 19th, thousands of demonstrators have gathered each day to
pay tribute to Hrant Dink. Nearly 100, 000 people came together in
his funeral procession last Tuesday; ample proof of the existence of
an active civil society in Turkey, ready to push the country towards
European-style democratisation.
Photos: http://www.cafebabel.com/en/article.asp?T=T&Id =9810