Turkey's Shame Again: Dink's Assassination

Turkey has once again hit the spotlight on news channels around the world with the assassination of Hrant Dink, a Turkish-Armenian writer, journalist and noted outspoken editor of the bilingual Agos daily newspaper, not to mention a peaceful activist about the Armenian genocide. He was killed in broad daylight on a busy street. This wasn't a random killing; it was arranged and premeditated!

A Turkish friend, who lives in Sweden, wrote me on how she is left void of feelings and words:

I read and heard about that horrible murder in Istanbul. I do not recognize the country anymore. What a contradiction; what a huge gap between those who are fed with hate and nationalism, racism, and those who see life as far as the limits of the nightclubs, their bank accounts... Where are we then? I can't find a place for myself in this scheme...I lose my belief in human kind more everyday…

I believe she expresses what so many of us feel these days with all the hate, violence and detachment from one another and the infringement of rights in many of our own countries. Hrant Dink's assassination surely adds to the fear we see in our streets for intolerance of those with differing views.

Unfortunately, this incident has caught negative attention again for Turkey around the world, and begs yet more answers from the government as to what's happening in Turkey and to her people. Still under pressure about their EU accession talks, where is the pearl which can come from this terrifying event?

I believe it has shown that the people of Turkey want something different to come from Dink's death and lurking inside is the catalyst to bring about more positive changes in Turkey and shaping her society.

It may not be as bleak as some currently hail. Instead what has been revealed is that thousands took to the streets in Turkey to honor a man that since his earlier years has stood for freedom of press rights and speech in Turkey; but more so, they recognize that they deserve real answers about many pressing issues facing their community. It is the Turkish people who are beginning to stand up and speak out more for their own rights, and with it brings some dissension in their questions to the government, and sometimes, the dubious answers.

How many times was this man prosecuted under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for allegedly insulting Turkishness (not a real word)? And, how many death threats did he receive and even wrote about, yet the government provided no protection to him. Who else has shared in his prosecution under this article that repeatedly in 2006 embarrassed Turkey? Oh, yes, Orhan Pamuk, a 2006 Nobel Prize Winner! Well, Turks are finally finding their voice and I applaud them for it!

Check out one of the best blogs I routinely read to learn more about this issue and the larger issues facing the country of Turkey at:

http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/01/21/turkey-is-typingthe-death-of-hrant-dink/.

Comments

[Deborah Ann Dilley]

Wow, thank you for the compliment.