HRANT DINK RESOLUTION GAINS STRENGTH AS LAWMAKERS OFFER SUPPORT
armradio.am
15.04.2008 10:46
A congressional resolution condemning the assassination of
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, gained additional support as
Representatives Michelle Bachmann (R-MN), Charles Gonzales (D-TX),
Zack Space (D-OH) and Tim Walberg (R-MI) signed on as the bill’s
latest cosponsors.
The lawmakers added their support following meetings with the Armenian
Assembly in Washington, bringing the current number of cosponsor to
59. They join Representatives Jerry F. Costello (D-IL), Anna Eshoo
(D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Collin C. Peterson
(D-MN), Ed Royce (R-CA), Paul Ryan (R-WI), John Sarbanes (D-MD),
Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) who have added
their names to the list of supporters in recent months, calling on
Congress to adopt H. Res. 102. The Assembly-backed bill, introduced
last January by Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), condemns Dink’s
murder, honors his legacy and calls on Turkey to take appropriate
action to protect freedom of speech by repealing Article 301 of the
Turkish penal code.
"I am proud to cosponsor this resolution and help to ensure that the
life and legacy of Hrant Dink are not forgotten," Bachmann said. "I
applaud the Assembly in their efforts to support America’s Armenian
community."
"The Assembly appreciates the growing bipartisan support for this
important human rights legislation," said Bryan Ardouny, Executive
Director of the Armenian Assembly. "Hrant Dink was a law-abiding
citizen who believed in democratic ideals and peaceful change. It is
only fitting that in his memory, Congress take a strong stand against
Turkey’s inexplicable use of Article 301 to indict citizens for openly
discussing the Armenian Genocide."
Dink’s life was violently taken in broad daylight, in front of his
office at Agos, the newspaper he founded and directed since 1996. An
outspoken advocate for democratic reform, he stood trial several
times for his public comments on the genocide and was convicted in
October 2005 for "insulting Turkishness" under Article 301.
H. Res. 102 is currently pending before the House Foreign Affairs
Committee.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE)
introduced a similar measure in the Senate last February, which passed
on March 29, 2007. The Biden resolution condemns Dink’s assassination
and urges Turkey to take appropriate action to protect freedom of
speech by repealing Article 301.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
