BRYAN ARDOUNY: ARTICLE 301 HAS BECOME A PAINFUL REMINDER OF OPEN WOUNDS OF GENOCIDE

Bryan Ardouny, Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), addressed a letter to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to appreciate publication of "Freer Speech" editorial dedicated to the problem of article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code. "We commend you for your Jan. 29 editorial ("Freer Speech") highlighting Turkey's continued and inexplicable use of Article 301 to indict citizens for openly discussing the Armenian Genocide. "Turkey is the only country in the world where speaking the truth about the Armenian Genocide is regarded a prosecutable offense. For simply mentioning the atrocities, Hrant Dink was hauled to court and convicted in 2005. His life was ultimately taken by forces determined to squash public discussion of this fact of world history. "Sadly, one year after Mr. Dink's assassination, Ankara has yet to overturn the climate of intolerance, prejudice and repression which led to this unspeakable crime. Instead, Mr. Dink's son, Arat Dink, was recently convicted under this much-criticized law for referencing the Armenian Genocide. "Article 301 has become a painful reminder of the open wounds of genocide and its denial. It is time for Turkey to provide more than just lip-service and get to the business of reforming its laws and stop its ongoing campaign of denial," Mr Ardouny whote in his letter.

Headlines for February 09, 2008

RA JUSTICE MINISTRY BURNED IN YEREVAN
The roof and two upper storeys of the Armenian Ministry of Justice burned out in Yerevan this morning. An alert came at 5 a.m. 23 fire brigades and 7 fire engines arrived at the site. The firemen managed ...
KOCHARIAN ORDERED TO FIND OUT CAUSES OF JUSTICE MINISTRY FIRE
Armenian President Robert Kocharian ordered the law enforcement bodies to look into the causes of the fire in the RA Justice Ministry, the RA leader's press office said. Besides, the Armenian government ...
KOSOVO TO PROCLAIM INDEPENDENCE FEBRUARY 17
Serbia's minister for Kosovo, Slobodan Samardzic, said Friday that his government has information that the Albanian-majority province will declare independence on February 17. "The Serbian government ...
BRYAN ARDOUNY: ARTICLE 301 HAS BECOME A PAINFUL REMINDER OF OPEN WOUNDS OF GENOCIDE
Bryan Ardouny, Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), addressed a letter to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to appreciate publication of "Freer Speech" editorial dedicated to the problem ...
NATO TO FORM KOSOVO ARMY
NATO intents to from a Kosovo army after the breakaway province proclaims independence. "Formation of the future Kosovo army numbering a 2500 personnel can become one of NATO's functions in the Albanian-populated ...