Istanbul MoMA: photo exhibit with Armenian touch

I will post more pics from this photo exhibit and Istanbul Museum of Modern Art in my upcoming posts, but here is a selection of Armenian-themed photos from the "ON THE ROAD / Images of Turkey from the Nar Photos Archive". I spent more time exploring this exhibit than anywhere else in the museum. Pay attention to the description that accompanied each photo.

*"A citizen of Armenia fixing his car on the way to Yerevan. Situated at the crossroads between Turkey, Armenia and Iran, 5 165 meters high Mount Ararat can be seen from all three countries. Yerevan, Ermenistan, 2008" [Unzipped: Interestingly, in English they use “Mount Ararat”, in Turkish “Agri Dagi”]

*"From the “Horovel” project carried out in villages on the Turkish-Armenian border; interview with Tigranuhi Asatryan, a survivor of 1915. Tigranuhi, who was 100 years old when the interview was conducted, shows a picture of herself when she was young. Gumru, 2010"

*"Ceremony held at the Balikli Armenian Cemetery after the march attended by over 100 000 people following the assassination of journalist Hrant Dink. Istanbul, 2007"

*"The Church of the Virgin Mary, adorned with Easter eggs to celebrate one of the most important days for Christians. It is believed that Jesus Christ was resurrected on this day, which is called Surp Zadik by Armenians. Istanbul, 2007"

Azeri blogger marks Hrant Dink's assassination anniversary by making Armenian language post

There are quite a few publications in Armenian and international (including Turkey and Azerbaijan) online space, blogs and media to mark the 4th anniversary of Hrant Dink's assassination in Turkey. But this particular post by well known Azeri blogger, musician and youth activist Araz Önər, currently based in the Netherlands, grabbed my attention. Not only by its content, which is good, but by posting it in Armenian too (available in EN, AZ and AM).

Below I re-post the Armenian version on my blog. Araz ends by transforming "We are all Hrant Dink" into "We are all free". If only...
***

Հրանտ Դինքի սպանությունը

Մարդիկ 17 տարեկանում կարող են շատ հիմար լինել: Եթե չորս տարի առաջ 17-ամյա Օզգուն Սամասթը իմանար, թե ում է սպանում, իր երիտասարդությունը չէր զոհաբերի նրանց համար, ովքեր իրեն ստիպեցին անել այդ ոճրագործությունը: Հրանտ Դինքը և´ հայերի, և´ թուրքերի համար պատմական կարևոր նշանակություն ունեցող լրագրող էր: Կարծում եմ նրա մահը մեծ հանցանք է ողջ աշխարհի ազատ լրագրողության դեմ:

Շատ ափսոս, որ Թուրքիայում 21-րդ դարում դեռևս մնացել են ֆաշիզմի հետքեր, որը սպառնալիք են դառնում այնտեղ ապրող արժեքավոր մարդկանց կյանքի համար:

Թուրքիան Նազիմ Հիքմեթներին, ում բարոյական և ֆիզիկական տառապանք է պատճառել, անգութաբար սպանված Հրանտ Դինքերին հետո կհասկանա և կգնահատի: Ներկայումս, ավաղ, Թուրքիան ոչինչ չի հասկանում: Այս ոճրագործությունը մի երիտասարդին վեագրելը ընդամենը մի խղճուկ փորձ է քողարկելու այն փաստը, որ սպանությունը կազմակերպվել է պետական մակարդակով: Դժվարանում եմ հասկանալ, թե ինչ էր մտածում թուրք ոստիկանը, որը ժպտում էր Օզգուն Սամասթի հետ թուրքական դրոշի տակ նկարվելիս…

Լինելով բլոգեր` կարծում եմ, որ Հրանտ Դինքի մահը մեծ հանցագործություն է թուրքական պետությունում ազատ խոսքի դեմ և խստորեն դատապարտում եմ այդ ոճիրը: Ի դեպ, չեմ ասում «բոլորս Հրանտ Դինք ենք, բոլորս հայ ենք», այլ ասում եմ «բոլորս ազատ ենք»:

Nationalists gone hysterical in Armenian sector of Facebook over Azeri Film Festival in Yerevan

It’s funny how Armenian nationalists, self-proclaimed propagandists or ‘defendants’ of Armenian interests (whether in Armenia or Diaspora) are all up in arms to express their “outrage” when Armenian writers, artists, or anything Armenia related get threatened, abused and discriminated against in Turkey or Azerbaijan. They are all up in arms to “protest” and “expose” discrimination and abuse directed at few brave Turkish or Azeri voices who express different to the ‘accepted’ views in relation to Armenia, Karabakh or the Armenian Genocide.

But look at the nationalist hysteria that was generated and going on after the event’s page was set up for the Azeri Film Festival in Yerevan, Armenia (see poster above and FB page). Many of the most vocal and repetitive haters are those born in/around early 90s, a so called ‘lost generation’, who probably saw this as a chance for self-affirmation or whatever.

I am not going to repeat totally sh*tty language they use to show off how ‘patriotic’ they are and how ‘treacherous’ the organisers or supporters/attendants of the film festival are.

I strongly believe that art, and culture, do not recognise borders. Even if countries are at the state of war. Art, and films, are the best way for ordinary people to get to know each other better, to break the ice, even or especially in case of closed borders. There is also internet, of course, and meetings outside the national borders.

I have no problem if there are people who protest the idea or the fact of the festival. It’s their right. But do it in a (at least remotely) civilised way, without engaging the lowest possible denominator of nationalist/racist crap, personal attacks and threats to individuals. There is a fine line when freedom of speech gets transformed into something that should be considered within the frames of legal/criminal code. Many have already crossed that line.

And they pour tons of hatred, slander, nationalist crap and threats towards (among others) one of the brightest and the bravest souls in contemporary Armenia, writer and activist, and dreamer Lusine Vayachyan, who happened to help the organiser to set up the event’s page in Facebook, and supports the idea of film festival. Vayach, you have my respects. If only we have more dreamers in Armenia...

It’s an unfortunate reality that ‘treacherous’ Armenians become heroes only after their death. R.I.P., Hrant Dink...

*Recommended reading:

Azerbaijan Film Festival in Yerevan Sparks Hatred and Xenophobia

Armenian Writer Threatened for Facebook Page on Azerbaijan Film Screenings in Yerevan

No Enemy Nations, Only Regressive Societies and Governments: Ara Nedolyan

Intolerance Hidden Under Veil of Patriotism is Dangerous: Opinion

Hatred and Xenophobia is Alive and Well

Armenia gets yet another political prisoner on the 3rd anniversary of Hrant Dink murder in Turkey

I am sure, many will consider these comparisons ‘sacrilegious’. You know what? I do not care. You, ‘many’, were blaming Hrant Dink - when he was alive - for his (reconciliatory) stand to Armenia-Turkey relations. Now he became a ‘hero’ for you. For me, he was always a one - a true hero.

Nikol Pashinyan was never a hero for me. However, what has happened to him (and not only) is an evidence of ongoing violations of human rights in Armenia.

It’s very telling, that on the anniversary of Hrant Dink murder in Turkey, we’ve heard the court ruling in Armenia sentencing prominent opposition editor Nikol Pashinyan to 7 years in prison.

I am sure, today there will be many articles and reports in Armenian media, rightly stating that - 3 years on - there is still no justice in Hrant Dink murder case.

But the pro-government circles will turn a blind eye (=court ruling) that ironically this very same day Armenia gets yet another political prisoner. A disgrace.

Hrant Dink Day in London - 19 January 2010

Hrant Dink was a prominent Turkish-Armenian editor who was assassinated in Istanbul on 19 January 2007.
***

The Hrant Dink Society
c/o The Temple of Peace, Cardiff, Wales

invites you to events on

Hrant Dink Day, 19th January 2010,
in the UK Parliament, London

"The Minorities of Turkey"

1. Outside the Turkish Embassy-A Silent Vigil at 1 p.m. with banners: "Turkey respect your Minorities"

2. Meeting in the House of Commons at 5 p.m. (Committee Room 16). "Hrant Dink and Turkish Armenia"
Sponsor: Nia Griffith MP

3. Meeting in the House of Lords Lords (Committee Room 3A at 7 p.m. ) on Minority Rights in Turkey
Soonsor: Baroness Finlay of Llandaff

Parajanov, Charents and Hrant Dink on… Dashnak posters in Yerevan. Have they (Dashnaks) lost their mind?

Tert.am reports about posters in Yerevan by ‘opposition’ turned ‘former’ ruling coalition member nationalist ARF Dashnaktsutyun party. They say that these posters have nothing to do with the upcoming mayoral elections in Yerevan, but rather a reflection of party’s position in relation to Armenia - Turkey rapprochement, with typical Dashnak-style slogans.

That’s not the bizarre bit. Dashnak posters are illustrated by famous Armenian faces from the field of arts, literature, sport etc. Guess who they posted there?

If some choices, like the actor Sos Sargsyan, raise no doubts, photos of the composer Tigran Mansuryan and chess player Levon Aronyan are misleading. Mansuryan never been known to be fan of Dashnaks, and chess player Levon Aronyan, when contacted by Tert.am, expressed his displeasure of using his photo without his permission or prior knowledge. Tert.am tried to find out – unsuccessfully! - from the party itself, whether they obtained the consent of the people depicted on the posters, or whether those very people support(ed) Dashnaktsutyun ideology?

The most hilarious examples are not the above ones. Among others on Dashnak posters are… Parajanov, Charents, Hrant Dink… (!!)

Parajanov who belongs not only to Armenian culture, but also Georgian, Ukrainian, and reflected Azerbaijani culture in his works too. Not quite the nationalist figure Dashnaks would like to portrait. In fact, as far from it, as one can get...

Charents who was in a complete opposite to Dashnaks camp, and who infamously wrote anti-Dashnak poems…

Hrant Dink who was a champion of Armenia-Turkey reconciliation…

Is this the way Dashnaks trying to re-assert their newly declared ‘opposition party’ credentials? Based on lies? As Tert.am rightly points out, this is a totally failed attempt by the party, to put it mildly.

*poster - via Tert.am

Orhan Pamuk visits family of murdered Turkish Armenian journalist Hrant Dink at their home in Istanbul

Truly, Quote of The Day by Orhan Pamuk, via Hurriyet:

Turkish author Orhan Pamuk visited the family of murdered journalist Hrant Dink at their home in Istanbul yesterday, stopping to make a few statements to reporters on exiting the Dink home.

Pamuk, who told reporters that words could not even describe his sorrow, said "In a sense, we are all responsible for his death. However, at the very forefront of this responsibility are those who still defend article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code. Those who campaigned against him, those who portrayed this sibling of ours as an enemy of Turkey, those who painted him as a target, they are the most responsible in this. And then, in the end, we are all responsible."

*Thanks to L.P. for the link.

Hrant Dink Agos weekly employees marked 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in an intimate ceremony in Istanbul

In an intimate ceremony, around 20 people from an Armenian bilingual Agos weekly of assassinated Turkish Armenian editor Hrant Dink commemorated 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Istanbul at Hrant Dink’s tomb.

*via Jean Eckian and Nouvelles d'Arménie

Obama, Turkey, and I

I never thought that PR could be so overwhelming.

It was like a huge show, like a Hollywood movie, or some would say a rock concert.

I decided to make this post only after this wave went down a bit.

I felt that I am under attack by all those media reports which forced me to choose between the Genocide recognition and rapprochement with Turkey. I refuse to consider such choice. I do not think they are mutually exclusive.

I am neither encouraged nor discouraged by Obama’s words. It was OK speech. You could not have expected more at that moment, at that time.

I do not buy “it’s not a right time” argument. Due to its geographical location and regional geopolitics, Turkey will always be a country of strategic significance. If we follow “it’s not a right time” argument, there will never be a “right time”. Just because there are strategic interests, a country cannot be free of human rights abuses, current or past, and especially the most extreme level of it – Genocide. Sadly, and not only with regards to Turkey, putting ‘strategic importance’ before human rights is widespread. Call me naïve, but I did (and still do) support Obama hoping that human rights and (at least relatively) ethical politics will be brought back to the global politics. Obama’s first steps in presidency proved that he is the man for the job to make changes. Therefore, the only right thing to do for Obama is to follow his pre-election pledges and recognise the Armenian Genocide.

Let’s put it this way: I will be very disappointed if Obama won’t stick to his promises, and I will be very disappointed if recent positive signs in Armenia-Turkey rapprochement fail. I am not convinced that recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the US will have a long term negative consequences. US are as important to Turkey, as Turkey to the US. Although not on the same scale, but France’s recent example proves that countries move on for more practical purposes. On the other hand, having secured the US formal recognition will perhaps help many in Armenian Diaspora to recover from a ‘Genocide identity’ and start focusing on more pressing needs for Armenia, that is human rights, regional peace, economy etc. (vain hopes?) Well, I do not know how these all will develop, but Turkey could have done much more if serious in normalisation of relationships without bullying tactics, with opening the border in the immediate aftermath of Russia-Georgia war (this could have an important humanitarian explanation).

Human rights abuses and crimes against humanity can never be considered as an internal matter of countries. It’s in a large part due to the external pressures, and the ‘threat’ of US recognition, that Turkey’s official position shows signs of changes. Of course, changes boosted internally too… Hrant Dink, intellectuals… In any case, for me, the most important and positive signs are Turkey’s internal developments, where Armenian question is becoming a less of a taboo, and increasing number of voices question the official line. While external pressures could damage this trend, they could also help in understanding that to avoid external pressures and manipulations they have to clean up this issue internally.

I have to say, I am supportive of Armenian government’s general position in relation to rapprochement with Turkey. (I do not know all specifics to be more precise) Armenian side did whatever possible to do to pave the way for reconciliation despite Turkey’s official refusal to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. Armenian officials were more than clear that they are for rapprochement without any preconditions. This is the only right and acceptable thing to do. Tying the opening of the border and reconciliation with other issues, such as Karabakh, is not only contra-productive, but aims at sabotaging the whole process.

Patrick Azadian: "Are we really Hrant Dink?"

Highly recommend this excellent piece by Patrick Azadian. Very brave, and very honest. Sadly, many try to hijack Dink's legacy for their nationalistic agenda, which is a complete opposite to what Dink's legacy should be.

(Patrick Azadian is a writer and the creative director of a local marketing and graphic design studio living in Glendale. He is a columnist in Glendale News Press.)

On the inside, are we Hrant Dink?
Glendale News Press

Monday marked the anniversary of the murder of Hrant Dink, the Turkish-Armenian author who championed freedom of speech and tolerance.

On the occasion, some chose the slogan “I am Hrant Dink” to express their support. On many of Internet’s social utility sites supporters swapped their personal images with that of Dink. [...]

Are we Hrant Dink?

People like Dink do not come along very often. Indeed, he was not a man of “sides.” He wanted the Armenians to set themselves free of the “poison” they carry in their veins because of the act of genocide. He did not allow the act of genocide to be the main determinant of his identity. [...]

Am I Hrant Dink?

Make no mistake, Dink did not forget the past. When referring to the genocide he once said: “Call it what you want. I know what happened to my people.”

His self-assured approach suggested that he cared intensely for the present and the future, not just the past. He exuded confidence reserved for individuals free of victim mentality.

And he did this in a hostile environment. Not from Glendale or Montreal. Not from Washington, D.C. or Paris.

Referring to his environment Dink said: “To be honest, I feel haunted day in, day out. Ever seen a pigeon? Seen how it keeps turning its head? It shudders at the slightest noise, ready to fly away any instant. Can you call that life? The difference is that I can’t fly away like a pigeon.” [...]

Are we really Hrant Dink?

Dink is still not fully understood in Turkey nor the Diaspora. So forgive me for feeling that the slogan “We are all Hrant Dink” can ring hollow at times.

I leave you with a few simple thoughts:

To my Armenian brothers and sisters: “Are we willing to free ourselves of our genocide-centric identity? How long will we allow an outside entity to dictate our actions?”

To my Turkish cousins: “Is your collective conscience clear? Are you proud of what your ancestors did to mine?”

We are not Hrant Dink.

*Thanks to Onnik for this link.

Reporters Without Borders call for an end to the scandalous impunity for security forces on 2nd anniversary of Hrant Dink’s murder

*Reporters Without Borders

On the second anniversary today of the murder of Hrant Dink, a Turkish journalist of Armenian origin, Reporters Without Borders reiterates its solidarity with his family, colleagues and friends. The editor of the weekly Agos, Dink was gunned down outside the Agos office in Istanbul on 19 January 2007 by Ogun Samast, a youth from the northeastern city of Trabzon. Two Trabzon men, Erhan Tuncel and Yasin Hayal, were the alleged masterminds.

“We join all those who continue to mourn Hrant Dink and who want justice done,” Reporters Without Borders said. “And we call for all the different aspects of the case to be tried together, as this is the only way to end the scandalous impunity enjoyed by those members of the security services who knew there was a plot to kill Dink and yet did nothing to stop it.”

There is no longer any doubt about the fact that members of the police force and gendarmerie were aware of the murder plot and failed to react. A report by the prime minister’s office on 2 December directly implicated the security forces.

“Intelligence about preparations for an attack by Yasin Hayal, the fact that the Armenian patriarch, Mesrob Mutafyan, had requested protection for Armenian institutions (because of the tension resulting from France’s decision to make it a crime to deny the Armenian genocide) and the events that took place during Hrant Dink’s trial all justified the utmost vigilance,” the report says. “The Directorate for Security arguably failed in its duty by neglecting to place Dink under protection.”

The same report recommends that the head of general intelligence in Ankara, Ramazan Akyürek, should be investigated. Trabzon chief of police prior to Dink’s murder, Akyürek had agreed to Erhan Tuncel’s working as police informer. Akyürek is accused of failing to ensure there was a sufficient follow-up to the information he was given, and of failing to coordinate the efforts of the various services so that Dink would be protected.

Another report, by the interior ministry, says the entire Istanbul police command acted with negligence in this case.

So far, only members of the Trabzon gendarmerie have been prosecuted and the Istanbul police continue to enjoy complete impunity. On 27 June 2008, the Istanbul regional administrative court banned any investigation of police chief Celattin Cerrah and seven other officials, including intelligence chief Ahmet Ilhan Güler, insisting that that they made no mistakes.

The Dink family lawyers say Law 4483 governing judicial proceedings against state officials poses a major obstacle to any prosecutions. “The senior officials we accuse in this case are precisely the ones who have so far been briefing the prosecutors conducting the investigations,” the lawyers say. “It is no coincidence that our complaints alleging ‘falsification of documents’ have gone nowhere.”

The lawyers want the eight members of the security forces prosecuted under article 83 of the criminal code, which punishes “negligence resulting in the death of another person” rather than for just “negligence,” as has been the case so far.

The lawyers have brought three complaints before the European Court of Human Rights. They have also brought a complaint before the High Council for the Judiciary against the three judges who banned any judicial proceedings against the Istanbul police chief and his aides.

The trial of Samast, Tuncel, Hayal and 16 other defendants on charges ranging from “deliberate homicide” to “membership of a terrorist organisation” began before an Istanbul court of assizes on 2 July 2007 and is still under way.

At the same time, two gendarmes are being tried by a magistrate’s court in Trabzon and six other gendarmes have been charged, including the head of the gendarmerie in Trabzon.

Several demonstrations in Dink’s memory are being organised in Istanbul. One was held by the “Friends of Hrant Dink” at 2:30 p.m. today at the site of the murder, in the Istanbul neighbourhood of Osmanbey. A concert is being organised on 22 January in the district of Beyoglu, the proceedings of which will be handed over to the Hrant Dink International Foundation. An exhibition entitled “Hrant Dink and the Fraternity of Peoples” will run until 6 February.

Hrant Dink Day in London

2nd anniversary of Hrant Dink's assassination

Vigil outside the Turkish Embassy
Belgrave Square , London SW1x 8PA
from 1.00 p.m.- 2 p.m.
"Turkey face your past, respect your Minorities!"

Meeting in Committee Room 6 of the House of Commons
at 6.00 p.m. on

The cultural rights of the minorities of Turkey

Speakers:
Des Fernandes (Author of The Kurdish and Armenian Genocides, Apec 2008)
(and others tbc)

Maral Dink, niece of Hrant, will participate too.

Organisers: Armenian Solidarity with the Victims of All Genocides, Nor Serount Cultural Association, Centre of Halabja (CHAK), Seyfo Centre

"We Are All Hrant Dink" - the Hepimiz movement in Turkey

*Today's Zaman

The ridiculous headline "Hepimiz Keviniz" (We are all Kevin), broadcast by Star news on the announcement and arrival of Kevin Costner as the figurehead of Turkish Airlines' (THY) new first-class service, has been viewed as a gross and thoughtless misappropriation of a serious slogan chosen by Turks to express their sympathy for persecuted people both nationally and internationally.

The phrase "Hepimiz" (All of us) was made popular after the assassination of journalist Hrant Dink in January 2007. Dink was a talented writer, and as an Armenian with great faith in the Turkish people, he spent his life working to create an environment of tolerance and love that would accept him and others like him who did not fit into the state's narrow definition of "Turkishness." When his murderer, Ogün Samast, a 16-year-old, ran from the scene shouting "I have killed the gavur [foreigner or non-Muslim]," the nation responded with an outburst of shame. The streets were flooded with people and signs all defiantly proclaiming the same message, "Hepimiz Hrant'ız, hepimiz Ermeniyiz" (We are all Hrant, we are all Armenian).

Since then, the slogan has become a byword for grassroots movements defending human rights, free speech, equality, feminism and anti-racism. In 2008 when Italian peace activist Pippa Bacca was murdered while hitchhiking across Turkey in a symbolic bridal gown, her death was commemorated by those who mourned the abuse of her innocence and hope and by women's groups protesting her rape and murder with the words "Hepimiz Pippa'yız." The slogan made its first appearance of 2009 at the opening night party of the film "The Queen at the Factory." Hande Yener, the oft-touted Madonna of Turkish pop, stars in the film, which revolves around a brother's inability to accept his sister's homosexuality; she started the party by announcing "Hepimiz Gay'iz." The most recent example of the use of this phrase was in response to the savage attacks on Gaza, which have prompted marches in Turkey under the banner "Hepimiz Filistinliyiz" (We are all Palestinians). [...]

The Hepimiz movement is a small but encouraging sign in a country that has no specialized national body to combat racism and few NGOs to fill that gap. [...]

Turkey: Flash mob performance to mark Hrant Dink anniversary

’We were shot on that day, too.’

*Hurriyet

ISTANBUL - Turkey’s right-minded people have mobilized under the slogan ’We were shot on that day, too.’ More than 300 people, from students to pensioners, are planning to gather on the anniversary of Agos editor-in-chief Hrant Dink’s assassination.

The message, "We were shot on that day, too," has been sent over popular friendship network Facebook and will bring more than 300 people together to raise awareness of the assassination of weekly Agos editor-in-chief Hrant Dink.

Hundreds of people, including students and retired people, will come together in an initiative started by Turkish youth to give a performance on Jan. 18 and 19 at 3 p.m, to commemorate the anniversary of Dink’s murder.

During the performance, the moment when Dink was shot and fell will be reenacted. A camera will record the performance. The performers will fall down one by one. Each of them, after lying down for a few seconds will reenact the moment when the soul leaves the body. The only thing the performers need to do is to get up and walk without looking at the camera after they stand up.

In correspondence with the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review about the Başka Culture House event, performers Eylem Akkaya, İlker Eraslan, İbrahim Baş, Erdi Biltekin and Hüseyin Civan wrote, "The Dink murder is the deepest and freshest wound caused by Ergenekon, the deep state and counter guerrillas. We will also commemorate our intellectual people, who have also been the victims of murder. We call on everyone to join us for Dink and for justice." [...]

’As a society, we were all shot with Dink, too’
Aside from the goal Akkaya spoke of, one of the biggest aims of the performance is to reenact the "social shooting," said Baş, "When Dink was shot, our society was also shot and wounded. We should never forget this pain."

Speaking about Dink’s mission, the performers said, "Dink was our brother, who defended the brotherhood of people and fought for it. He was shot and we were shot too. This pain is the pain of all of us."

The performers, who seek to draw attention to the importance to the normalization of the common language of brotherhood in Turkey, as opposed to the language of nationalism and racism, said, "We should speak of the damage of the language of nationalism and racism to all people from the very young to the very old. We can have safety and peace only when we normalize this thought."

Performances at the Başka Culture House will continue after the commemoration to Dink. Performers will come together a short time later and draw attention to the tragedy in Palestine. Those who want to join flash mob performances can obtain information through www.ydnedir.de.ki

2nd Hrant Dink conference in Turkey

Bianet reports that on 16 January Bosphorus University will host its 2nd Hrant Dink Human Rights and Freedom of Expression Conference. The conference is held in memory of Turkish-Armenian journalist, editor-in-chief of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos, Hrant Dink, who was assassinated in Istanbul on 19 January 2007.

Prominent British human rights lawyer Sir Geoffrey Bindman, chair of the British Institute of Human Rights, will speak on “Freedom of Expression: A Universal Right”.

Bindman was born in 1933 and has been a lawyer in London since 1960. Bindman was legal adviser to the Race Relations Board (1966-73). He then spent ten years as legal adviser to the Commission for Racial Equality until 1983.

Bindman is the author of many articles in the legal profession's journals and in the national press. He has broadcast frequently on his specialist topics. He has represented the ICJ, IBA, Amnesty International and other bodies in human rights missions overseas.

He has received several human rights awards and is a visiting lecturer at University College London and London South Bank University.

Dink-2? - Turkish intellectuals under attack for "I apologise" campaign

Reuters reports that a "Turkish prosecutor has opened an investigation that could lead to criminal charges against the authors of an online apology for the World War One killings of Armenians, state-run news agency Anatolian reported on Friday." They could face charges under the infamous Article 301 for "insulting Turkish identity".

In mid-December, more than 200 Turkish intellectuals launched an online petition "I apologise" which reads:

"My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the denial of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share, I empathize with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers and sisters. I apologize to them. "

I wrote in my post that even though they did not mention the G-word, this is a remarkable step forward by a group of Turkish thinkers in a country where Armenian Genocide still remains a taboo, albeit a broken one, and where by mere mentioning of the Genocide one could get persecuted or killed.

Here we are. Not only initiators are facing a possible criminal charges (these would possibly be dropped as it would cause an international outrage) but as BBC reports, they are facing now a very real physical threat:

"Police said on Friday they had information that a man arrested this week was gathering intelligence and planning an attack against one of the organisers of the apology campaign.

Police said he had recently travelled to several cities and made it known that he was planning an action that would "shake Turkey", the BBC was told by a source who did not want to be named.

The man's uncle was reportedly among more than 30 people arrested on Wednesday in connection with an alleged ultra-nationalist coup plot.

Documents found in the raids led to the discovery of weapons and explosives in the forest outside Ankara, police say.

Some Turkish writers, who have promoted more open discussion of the Armenian issue, have been targeted by ultra-nationalist Turks.

The Turkish-Armenian writer Hrant Dink was killed last year for openly saying that the events of 1915 were genocide.

Previously he had been tried for "insulting Turkishness" for his comments on 1915."

Turkish intellectuals to Armenians: "I apologise"

I posted about the initiative by a group of Turkish intellectuals to launch an online petition personally apologising for 1915 "great disaster" (read genocide) suffered by Armenians. Even though they did not mention the G-word, this is a remarkable step forward by a group of Turkish thinkers in a country where Armenian Genocide still remains a taboo, albeit a broken one, and where by mere mentioning of the Genocide one could get persecuted or killed.

Not surprisingly then this initiative was condemned by the nationalist politicians as an "insult to the Turkish nation". They were joined today by a group of retired ambassadors who slammed the recent internet campaign launched to issue a public apology to Armenians regarding the 1915 incidents.

Today The Independent covered the story saying that "Around 200 Turkish intellectuals and academics are to apologise on the Internet today for the ethnic cleansing of Armenians during the First World War, in the most public sign yet that Turkey's most sensitive taboo is slowly melting away."

This petition was indeed launched today, and the website (in Turkish) opened for signatures now. As BBC indicates, "in the first few hours after the petition was launched, more than 1,000 people had signed their names beneath it."

In fact, numbers are growing. At the time of writing this post, there were 2424 signatories there.

BBC's Sarah Rainsford provides more details to the story in a report entitled Turkish thinkers' Armenia apology:

An internet petition has been launched in Turkey, apologising for the "great catastrophe of 1915" when hundreds of thousands of Ottoman Armenians died.

Armenians and many international historians describe as "genocide" the massacres and deaths during a forced deportation from eastern Turkey.

Turkey firmly denies that, saying those killed were just victims of war.

The petition - the first of its kind - was initiated by prominent Turkish academics and newspaper columnists.

They say they want to challenge the official denial and provoke discussion in Turkish society about what happened.

The petition is entitled "I apologise", and a short statement at the top rejects what it calls the ignorance and denial in Turkey of what the Ottoman Armenians suffered in 1915.

It then apologises for the pain that was caused.

It is a bold and original step in a country where writer Hrant Dink was killed just last year for openly saying that the events of 1915 were genocide.

Sparking discussion

Nationalist politicians have condemned the move as an insult to the Turkish nation, and the organisers have received abusive emails.

Turkey admits that many Armenians were killed but it denies any genocide, saying the deaths happened during widespread fighting in World War I.

The petition does not call on the state to apologise for what happened and it deliberately avoids the highly controversial definition of genocide.

But the Turkish academic who dreamed up the idea says he hopes it will spark a proper discussion of what happened and promote empathy for what the Armenians suffered.

Cengiz Aktar called it the responsibility of all Turks to think and talk openly about how, and why, the Armenian people disappeared from a land they inhabited for 4,000 years.

The petition's authors say they have received many encouraging comments.

In the first few hours after the petition was launched, more than 1,000 people had signed their names beneath it.

*photo - via BBC

BBC: "Violent nationalism blights Turkey"

BBC's Sarah Rainsford reports (her full report has been shown tonight on BBC's Newsnight programme)

Writer Hrant Dink was the first victim, killed last year because some in Turkey could not tolerate what he stood for. To nationalists, he was a traitor.

In a country where every citizen is defined as a Turk, Hrant Dink defined himself as ethnic Armenian. That was already subversive to some. But Mr Dink went further.

He wrote about the expulsion and killing of hundreds of thousands of Ottoman Armenians from eastern Turkey in 1915. To Armenians, and others, that was genocide - a claim Ankara vigorously denies. [...]

'Ergenekon' trial

In that battle for democracy, Hrant Dink was on the frontline. Now there is another sign the fight will be fierce.

Eighty ultra-nationalists are currently on trial just outside Istanbul, accused of plotting to overthrow the government and block democratic reforms.

The prosecutor claims the group - known as Ergenekon - planned a campaign of murder and violence. It was meant to create chaos - and force the military to step in and take control.

Hrant Dink believed Turkey could change. His vision was of a truly democratic republic and the EU accession process was a vital part of that.

To his widow, such change now looks a long way off.

"[Turkey] doesn't want people to express their ethnic identity, or live freely. That doesn't fit the founding ideas of this country,” Rakel says.

"Turkey needs time to adjust. The EU process may help, but my husband's death is their biggest loss."

*photo - AP, via BBC

Journalist Arat Dink was awarded the prestigious Guardian Journalism Award

Bianet reports that "journalist Arat Dink and imprisoned Burmese monk U Gambira are among the winners of Index on Censorship's 2008 Freedom of Expression Awards, which pay tribute to people around the world who have made outstanding contributions to free expression."

Journalist Arat Dink was honoured by Index on Censorship at a ceremony in London last night:

Dink was awarded the prestigious Guardian Journalism Award, which recognises determined and brave journalism that often represents a different point of view in the media.

Index on Censorship Chief Executive Henderson Mullin commented: ‘The bravery of Arat Dink, and the rest of the staff of Agos, in the face of Draconian laws restricting their freedom of expression, provides inspiration for journalists throughout the world. In honouring Arat, we also commemorate the work of his late father, Hrant Dink.’

Bianet adds that "as the editor of the Armenian paper "Agos", Dink has suffered immensely for the "crime" of speaking out in Turkey about the Armenian genocide. His father Hrant, who was editor of the paper before him, was gunned down for giving an interview about the genocide. Arat himself was given a one-year suspended sentence for daring to reprint his late father's words."

*source of picture

Armenian Genocide Monument desecrated on Holocaust Memorial Day

Turkish protesters disrupt Holocaust and Hrant Dink Commemorations

Only few days ago, organisers warned of possible Turkish attempts to disrupt the Holocaust and Hrant Dink Commemoration event planned to be held in Cardiff (Wales, UK) at recently erected Armenian Genocide Memorial. Particularly, their press release indicated that "Hal Savas and his "Committee for the Protection of Turkish Rights" has told the South Wales police that they intend to protest nearby." However, the reality they encountered was uglier than it was thought would be.

*source of photo: BBC

Below is the press release received from the Wales-Armenia Solidarity (with the support of Nor Serount Cultural Association).

27 January 2008

The tiny Welsh Armenian community were targeted with a despicable racist attack on Holocaust Memorial Day. The new Armenian Genocide Monument (which was erected by the community under the leadership of John Torosyan in November) was desecrated in the early hours of the morning before important ceremonies were held today to Commemorate the Holocaust, and to remember Hrant Dink. The ornate Armenian Cross on the monument was smashed to bits by persons unknown using a hammer, which was left at the scene of the crime.

One of the Welsh Armenians said:"This is our holiest shrine. Our grandparents who perished in the Genocide do not have marked graves. This is where we remember them"

Eilian Williams of Wales Armenia Solidarity said that he blamed the so-called "Committee for the Protection of Turkish Rights" britishcptr@aol.com under the leadership of Hal Savas (mobile number 07770302822) for the crime. The police took the hammer for fingerprints.

He continued:"I call on Armenians and other sympathisers throughout the world to send messages of support to Wales Armenia Solidarity (eilian@nant.wanadoo.co.uk ) which we can send to the Prime Minister of the National Assembly of Wales. We shall repair the cross again and again no matter how often it is desecrated. We also challenge the UK government and the Turkish Embassy to condemn this racist attack.

The Holocaust commemoration was a gesture of friendship by Welsh Armenians towards the Jewish and Roma communities .

Eminent Welshman Robin Gwyndaf prayed in Welsh and English. The Assembly Member Jenny Randerson called on the UK government to recognise the Armenian Genocide .

During the Prayers for the Holocaust victims, the said Turkish Committee used a loud-speaker to disrupt proceedings.

Finally, Martin Shipton, chief reporter for the "Western Mail" the national newspaper of Wales gave his tribute to Hrant Dink (also representing the National Union of Journalists). The Turkish protesters also disrupted his speech.
***

I am re-posting 2 photos from my previous post of Armenian Genocide memorial which was unveiled in Cardiff on 3 November 2007. Racists will not succeed in their attempts!



*source of photos: www.accc.org.uk