Hrant Dink, our friend, human rights/peace-democracy defenders, author-journalist, intellectual, was killed by a damnable gun attack. We have great anguish for this attack. Hrant Dink, who also our member, was the voice of justice and conscience in the society. The attack targeted to the principles that Hrant Dink support. These principles are; peace, democracy and human rights. As in the past, groups that do not like peace-democracy and human rights atmosphere in our country decided to the “(Un)known Murder”.
However, everyone should know that Hrant(s), who support(s) living together and freedoms will stop talking in this society. Any groups will not prevent peace and democracy struggle in Turkey. We will continue struggle to fulfil his dreams, defend his ideals, live together with different ethnic-cultural groups and walk to common future in our country.
Until now; unknown murders has not been identified in Turkey. We call for State’s all institutions and the Government to catch murderer or murderers and find persuaders or planners those responsible for the attack.
We call for all democracy forces, political parties, syndicates, chamber of trade, human rights organizations, law institutions, non-governmental organizations, media and individuals to take an active position against the attack that targeted peace-democracy in Turkey.
We are holders of peace, democracy and human rights in Turkey. We know that unless we fulfil our responsibilities as a holder of these principles, Hrant Dink’s murder will not be the last one.
We believe that all democracy forces, as followers of Hrant’s opinion, ideals on human rights and democracy, will continue to be voice of justice and conscience in Turkey.
IHD’ Administrative Board, which held a special meeting today (19.01.2007) agreed to share these opinions with public. We express our sympathy for Agos Newspaper and its workers, Armenian citizens, all citizens and country. We condemn this violent murder.