Armenian Bar Chairman's speech (Frank Zerunyan) in front of the Turkish Embassy on 1/20
Thank you all for being here today. Members of the press corps; thank you
for honoring one of your own for Hrant Dink was not only a friend and a fellow
Armenian but he was an exemplary world journalist. The world lost a good man
and a fine journalist.
From Left: Vicken Simonian, Hrant Dink, Frank Zerunyan, Hon. Arabian and Edvin Minassian
The Armenian Bar Association mourns the loss of a friend and a leading
freedom of speech advocate and condemns the brutal murder of this journalist of
Armenian descent. Hrant Dink had the courage to speak about the Armenian
Genocide in Turkey, a place where he was being persecuted and tried for his
remarks.
I on behalf of my brothers and sisters of the Armenian Bar Association
deeply regret the senseless killing of a freedom loving journalist. I extend my
deepest sympathies and condolences to our brother Hrant's family and members
of the Armenian, and freedom and truth-loving Turkish communities.
As a journalist, Mr. Dink was committed to what he called "a basic human
right of free speech". On October 28, 2006, Mr. Dink was our guest in the City
of brotherly love and the City where our Country's freedom rang. He spoke
about the true meaning of freedom of speech to a group of public officials,
judges, law professors, prosecutors and lawyers. He was a purist. Ironically, he
did not discriminate in his advocacy. He defended the free speech rights of
the deniers of his ancestors' genocide accepting and enduring the pain
withstanding much criticism from his own friends and relatives. All in the name of
freedom of speech!
Mr. Dink was presented with the Liberty Bell Award for his journalistic
efforts to protect and keep alive freedom of speech. He was so pleased to have
received this award that he assured us all: that he would take it to prison
with him to remind him of the higher purpose of his incarceration.
Hrant Dink (left) with Frank Zerunyan
As far as we are concerned, our brother Hrant's body lies on the doorsteps
of the current Turkish administration. Penal Code Section 301 created,
legislated and implemented by this administration nourishes an environment of hate.
If the Prime Minister of Turkey truly means his words that these bullets were
aimed at freedom; Mr. Prime Minster, in Hrant Dink's name repeal Penal Code
Section 301 NOW! Show the world a sense of decency and remorse. Tear down
this wall of discrimination and hatred. Perhaps one day Turks and Armenians will
learn to live in Peace again. Hrant would have wanted that!
Thank you.
