On the 19th anniversary of his murder, Hrant Dink lives on in our struggle against racism
19 January 2026
Hrant Dink was murdered 19 years ago today. Unfortunately, the judicial process that began long after the murder did not result in a satisfactory conclusion. As human rights defenders, and particularly his family, we are of the opinion that impunity continues to prevail in the case of Hrant Dink’s murder. In the region where we live, it is widely known that the state was involved in numerous crimes, intertwined with many criminal organizations both before and after the founding of the Republic. It is impossible to assess the Hrant Dink murder out of this reality. The Armenian hostility incited by state rulers throughout history has, unfortunately, led to the intensification of racist nationalism, ultimately paving the way for the murder of Hrant Dink.
Throughout his life, Hrant Dink was a figure who touched the nerve endings of those who thought, felt and reacted in the same way as the state. However, he not only insisted on the recognition of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, but also defended the need for Turkey’s democratisation.
Hrant Dink was one of the first people to voice his opinion to Turkish society as an Armenian; he recounted the historical and contemporary existence of Armenians, their experiences, and what it meant to be an Armenian in Turkey. He advocated for dialogue between the two peoples and countries; he called for mutual understanding, and sustained this call throughout his life. For the first time in Turkey, an Armenian spoke with such candor on television, laying bare his concerns. The state’s dark structures, intertwined with criminal elements, could not tolerate even a call for mutual understanding, let alone a demand to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Agos, founded and directed by Hrant Dink, functioned as a beacon leading us reaching the capillaeries of the Armenian reality that most of us knew nothing about. Agos enlightened us, taught us, spoke to our souls, and fostered the courage to express the truth within us. Agos made a breakthrough. Agos made visible the history of Armenians in Turkey and the realities of living as an Armenian that we could not even imagine. It not only improved our knowledge, it also appealed to our hearts, matured our emotions and refined our ability to feel.
He became even more visible through his appearances on television talk shows. Many people heard about the existence of Armenians and the discrimination they faced for the first time from him. This visibility also played a significant role in turning him into a target.
The real perpetrators of the murder, those who pushed the button, those who were aware of every stage of the process, those who facilitated it and those who connived at it were not brought to justice. They were protected by Turkey’s longstanding and ongoing shield of impunity. It should not be forgotten that even Ogün Samast, who was used as the triggerman in this massacre, was released about two years ago.
Hrant Dink has a very special place in the hearts of the Human Rights Association and our Committee against Racism and Discrimination. Seven years before his murder, in 2000, our Committee approached him explaining that we wanted to hold an exhibition named “Tuzla Armenian Camp–A Story of Seizure” to raise awareness about what had happened to the Tuzla Armenian Children’s Camp (Camp Armen). Camp Armen was not in the public eye at the time; it was unknown. Even so, he made time for us amid the busy pace of Agos, opening his office to us.
He told our friends the story of the camp and allowed us to take notes. Most importantly, he sent us the most precious photographs from his personal archive and allowed us to use them. Our exhibition was opened thanks to him. The exhibition material was then published as a trilingual book in Turkish, Armenian, and English. Six years later, we distributed the second edition of our book to the guests at the commemoration night organized on the first anniversary of his murder. Working with him was one of the most treasured memories we have and a great honor.
Hrant Dink was always a natural supporter of our struggle for human rights and against racism and discrimination. He was the enemy of racism, hatred, and prejudice; he was a friend to those who stood for truth, justice and fairness.
He was killed by Turkist Armenophobia and racism, expressed at times openly and at times covertly from the highest echelons to the lowest levels of the authorities in Turkey, and embraced by a significant part of the public.
As we have done since that day, we, as the Committee against Racism and Discrimination, will continue to feel Hrant Dink by our side in our struggle against every instance of racism, every lynching attempt, every case of discrimination and hatred, and we will continue our struggle together with him.
Human Rights Association
Committee against Racism and Discrimination