13 02 2007 - SOCIALIST YOUTH IMPLICATE TURKISH STATE IN THE ASSASSINATION OF HRANT DINK

On February 3rd, the International Union of Socialist Youth
(IUSY)unanimously adopted a resolution strongly condemning the recent assassination of journalist and human rights activist Hrant Dink in Istanbul, Turkey, recriminating the Turkish government for the shocking
daytime murder, reported the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy.

According to the resolution, “the Turkish State failed to provide Dink with protection even though he had explicitly asked for it after receiving death
threats”. The Turkish government’s “systematic denial of the Armenian genocide” and the “prosecuting of intellectuals for openly acknowledging the historic truth of the Armenian genocide” were also specifically cited.

In conclusion, the resolution called on Ankara to recognize the Armenian Genocide, arguing that “the continuing policy of Genocide denial has
encouraged racism, fascism and discrimination in Turkish society.”

“We applaud IUSY for reinforcing and updating its previously stated positions on this vital issue by adopting a clear and uncompromising resolution. No delays can be tolerated when matters of principle such as the acknowledgement of a genocide and freedom of expression are at stake”, declared Laurent Leylekian, the Executive Director of the European Armenian
Federation.

The Federation notes that any retreat from an earlier decision setting Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a precondition to European Union membership will be interpreted by Ankara as encouragement to continue the policies of genocide denial and intolerance.

The full text of the IUSY resolution is provided below:

IUSY Resolution on Hrant Dink's Murder

The World Council of the International Union of Socialist Youth condemns the cold-blooded murder of Hrant Dink, an Armenian journalist and editor of
"Agos" a bi-lingual Weekly in Istanbul on the 19th January 2007.

This abhorrent crime brings new threats to the rights and existence of the diminishing Armenian community in Turkey.

The Turkish State should ultimately be held responsible for the murder of Hrant Dink, a citizen of Turkey due to its,

- Failure to provide Dink with protection, even though he had explicitly asked for it after receiving death threats for allegedly “insulting
Turkishness”
- Systematic denial of the Armenian Genocide.
- Prosecuting of intellectuals like Dink and Pamuk for openly acknowledging the historic truth of the Armenian Genocide

The continuing policy of Genocide denial has encouraged racism, fascism and discrimination in Turkish society.

Dink's murder proves that there is no tolerance in Turkey for differing views, freedom of speech and minority rights.

Therefore, and mindful of its 2004 World Council Resolution, the IUSY calls on Turkey:

- To recognize the Armenian genocide and take full responsibility for this crime against humanity
- To repeal paragraph 301 of the penal code which is frequently used to prosecute anyone who “insults Turkishness”
- To respect the rights of minorities and freedom of speech.

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
for Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B-1000 Bruxelles
Tel: +322 732 70 26
Tel/Fax: +322 732 70 27
Email: contact@eafjd.org

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
February 12, 2007
Contact: Vartenie ECHO
Tel: +322 732 70 26

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