PRESS RELEASE
A.R.F. Youth Organization of Canada
3401 Olivar Asselin
Montréal, Québec, H4J 1L5
Contact: Nanor Nicolian
Tel: 514-927-6901
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
The A.R.F. Youth Organization of Canada Holds Protest in Front the Turkish
Consulate in Montreal
Saturday January 20, 2007. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s Youth
Organization of Canada held a protest in front of the Turkish consulate in
Montreal. It was held in honour of the late Agos newspaper editor Hrant
Dink, who was assassinated in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday, January 19th.
Despite the cold, more than 100 young Armenians and members of the
community gathered together, to commemorate the tragic death or Hrant
Dink, as well as to publicly condemn the Turkish Government in its
responsibility in allowing such a horrendous act to occur. Among those
present were representatives of the A.R.F. central committee of Canada,
representatives of the A.R.F. Laval and Montreal committees, members of
the A.R.F.Y.O.C. Pegor Ashod and Levon Shant chapters, as well a other
Armenian students and community supporters. Various media groups were also
present, filming, taking pictures, and interviewing some of the protesters
and mourners.
Ms. Annie Arouchian spoke on behalf of the A.R.F. Y.O.C. and the
Canadian-Armenian youth, denouncing the assassination as a political act,
a consequence of a government policy of denial. `This is a sad day for the
entire world, because one more person fell at the hands of a denialist
regime promoting fear and instilling hatred in the souls of the people.
Turkey must be held accountable for its negationnist policies and failure
to ensure the wellbeing of its journalists’, stated Ms. Arouchian.
Following this, Mr. Haytoug Chamlian was invited to speak on behalf of the
Armenian Community of Quebec. ^ This cowardly act is proof that Turkey is
haunted by its criminal past and is afraid to face the truth _, Chamlian
said.
Following the speeches, participants were invited to partake in a small
ceremony to honour the memory of Mr. Dink, by placing candles and flowers
in front of a small memorial created in front of the Turkish Consulate.
`The quick mobilization of the entire community, especially the youth, and
their determination to ensure the success of this event honouring the late
M. Dink, showed once again, that our future generation is ready and able
to take the torch and fight for a cause that is just, fight for human
rights and democracy, fight for justice to be served for the 1.5 million
victims of the Armenian genocide, and all those, like Mr. Dink, who still
fall at the hands of hatred,’ stated Zaven Dersahaguian, vice-president of
the ARF YOC central executive. `May the soul of Hrant Dink rest in peace’.
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Central Executive
ARF YOC