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AAA: Reps. Pallone and Royce Honor Hrant Dink's Memory

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  • AAA: Reps. Pallone and Royce Honor Hrant Dink's Memory

    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: www.aaainc.org


    PRESS RELEASE
    January 23, 2007
    CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
    E-mail: [email protected]

    REPS. PALLONE AND ROYCE HONOR HRANT DINK'S MEMORY
    Call on Turkey to Abolish Article 301


    Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America commends Armenian
    Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Caucus Member
    Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) for calling on Turkey to honor the memory
    of journalist and human rights activist Hrant Dink by repealing Article
    301 of the Turkish penal code.

    In separate remarks on the House floor yesterday, both lawmakers
    commemorated the first anniversary of Dink's assassination on an
    Istanbul street in broad daylight on January 19, 2007. Before his
    murder, Dink was awaiting trial for allegedly violating Article 301
    which outlaws "insulting Turkishness," for his writings on the Armenian
    Genocide.

    Pallone noted that Turkey continues to persecute and incarcerate people
    for exercising their universal right of freedom of speech.

    "Turkey uses intimidation to deny its citizens their right to freedom of
    expression," Pallone stated. "It lobbies for its so-called rightful role
    in the international community and a place in the European Union. Yet it
    does not live up to democratic principles and standards."

    "It is my sincere hope that the Turkish government will use this
    occasion to reflect upon this restrictive article and rescind it before
    it does more harm," said Royce.

    Congressman Royce signed on yesterday as a cosponsor of the resolution
    condemning the assassination of Hrant Dink, H. Res. 102.

    "We appreciate the efforts of Congressmen Pallone and Royce in bringing
    this important issue to the forefront of Congress," said Assembly
    Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "It is vital that America demonstrates
    its commitment to human rights, and fundamental freedoms to the rest of
    the world."

    Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly 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#2008-008
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