Obituary: Hrant Dink (1954 - 2007)

                      

                                      Hrant Dink

                            (September 15, 1954 - January 19, 2007)

You can find a short CV from Agos Newspaper (scroll down, I corrected some grammar here):

He was born in Malatya on 15.9.1954. At the age of seven, he migrated to İstanbul together with his family. He got his primary and secondary education in Armenian schools. Immediately after lyceum, he got married.

He graduated from Zoology Department of İstanbul University's Science Faculty. Then he continued his education at Philosophy Department of the same university's Literature Faculty for a while.

Since 1996 he worked as the columnist and editor-in chief of AGOS weekly newspaper which can be regarded as the voice of Armenian community.

He tried to make this newspaper a democratic and oppositional voice of Turkey and also tried to share the injustices done to the Armenian community with public opinion.

One of the major aims of the newspaper is to contribute to the dialogue between Turkish and Armenian nations and also between Turkey and Armenia.

He took part in various democratic platforms and civil society organizations.

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Hrant Dink was murdered in a heinous and cowardly way, most likely, by some brainless and lost ultra-nationalist Turkish young man, who I hope will be brought to justice as soon as possible. I am deeply saddened by Hrant's death because I believe that he had good intentions for Turkey and the Turkish people. Although I don't agree with everything he said and wrote, it is clear that he was a peaceful activist voicing his norm-opposing views to raise awareness, which is the bread and butter of any democracy. No human being should be persecuted for his/her opinions in any country, but especially in Turkey.

Now more than ever, Turks need to show solidarity and condemn this attack as an act of senseless violence against one of our own. Hrant was a Turkish citizen, a man who has contributed greatly to Turkish society and furthermore even served proudly in the Turkish Armed Forces when his time came (standing second from right). He did not shy away from criticism or threats and even is said to have refused protection showing fearlessness and dedication to his principles.

Turks cannot and should not under any circumstances ignore Hrant's or any other journalist's assassinations. This is a shameful act in light of our country's image and will only be held against us as a whole if the assailant is not pursued and brought to justice adequately.

If anyone in Istanbul is reading this, I would be eternally grateful if you could light a candle in my name as a vigil to Hrant's memory. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.

UPDATE:

Please read the articles in the NY Times and the Turkish Daily News sites.

Comments

[Aya]

Infidel, this post really shows your true character. I agree with you that Dink's murder should be a wake up call for those who oppose freedom of speech in Turkey, a right which should be granted by the laws and constitutions of any country. If Turkey refuses to change its freedom of speech laws, then it will be grouped with repressive governments which deny their citizens their basic rights- a position which should be unacceptable to any true believer in democracy and human rights. This is a sad day. May Hrant Dink's soul rest in peace.

[The Infidel]

Agreed. Who in their right mind would want to be in the same category as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or Iran? I certainly don't....

[Bolsa Hye]

This is a truly tragic day for both Armenians and Turks. When my cousin called me and woke me up in the morning to tell me the news, my jaw dropped. What a shitty way to start the day, the year!

Mr. Dink proved to the whole world, and especially to Turks and Armenians, that a person can be a good Turk and a good Armenian at the same time. He didn't let either nation down with anything that he ever said or did. He was honest at all times, and never compromised his beliefs and principals. He told the Turks that there was a Genocide, and he told the French that their law criminalizing its denial was wrong too. He was brave and correct in both cases.

Sadly, I must say that although he was a legitimate and true Turkish patriot, his country of citizenship let him down. It persecuted him for his honest and legitimate beliefs, and it created and fostered an intolerant society that had no room for people like Hrant.

May he rest in peace now!

[Gamze]

Sean posted this tragic news about Mr. Dink on my blog which is how I first learned of his demise. I felt sick to my stomach as I read about it.

I really do hope that Turkey will do away penal code 301. If not, Turkey can never be a truly democratic nation.

My thoughts are with his loved ones.

[metin]

We must keep in mind that this 'ultra-nationalist Turkish young man' is not the real culprit. The forces of hate, and disruption, as well as the 'deep state' are too great a threat to not only Turkey's salvation but are a global menace for all of humanity. The only way to beat them at their own game is by uniting and not dividing to create a force of resolve that will be difficult to penetrate. And the first step is self-awareness and educating ourselves about the mistakes that were and are made by all parties, human and otherwise. This is not a Turk vs. Armenian issue, this is a human interactionitis disease inherent in our own ancestry we must learn from and we must try to contain by injecting good will and prosperity by working and standing together in solidarity against those trying to take our civil liberties away. Let the games begin.

[The Abyss]

There is an Armenian saying that goes like this:"go die, then come back so that I love you"

Where were the 10000 people marching in Istanbul shouting "we are all Hrant we are all Armenians" when Hrant was being prosecuted by the state for telling the truth.

I am finding difficulty in beleiving this sudden sympathy towards Armenians in Turkey.

[Roy Zarokyan]

he was a good armenian man

[Infidel]

The Abyss,

the answer to your question is Article 301, and I believe its days are counted regardless of what Dink was saying.

This is not a show of sudden sympathy towards Armenians, my friend, it's a show of sympathy for a human being's murder who also happened to be a journalist of public interest. Him being of Armenian origin does not matter to me.

Unlike some opinions might have you believe, we are quite capable of feeling another's pain and suffering.

[Sean]

Gamze,

The day Turkey take out 301 will be the day that 75% of the Turkish population (Turks, Armenians, Kurds, Greeks, etc) will come out and say that they either witnessed the Genocide or heard about it from their parents. That will be the end of denial.

[Koray]

Sean,
I'm really getting sick of seeing your name on our Turkish blogs. You really need to get a hobby or something. You pop up everywhere like mold. Relax, smoke some pot, and make love; then you'll find some serenity in your dark, pathetic life.

[Infidel]

Sean,

you're truly delusional. Don't even believe for a second that anyone will be convinced of your side of the story before the archives have been analyzed in it's entirety. Article 301's existence has extremely little to do with any Turk contesting the allegations, let me assure you...

[Bolsa Hye]

Koray, sounds like you're afraid of the topic. Apparently, you've learned nothing about the dangers of silencing discussion, or you're one of those nationalists who would like nothing better than to silence it.

I'm so sick of people who can't rationalize and discuss the issues like mature grown-ups. Instead, they make threats or personal attacks.

[Bolsa Hye]

Infidel, you're delusional if you believe that plenty of Turkish people haven't already been convinced of the truthful side of the story. That's why the ulta-nationalists are hell-bent on curbing debate and silencing the intellectuals among Turkish society. Otherwise, why would they be so afraid to let these people speak.

[Koray]

Bolsa, there you go again. You sound so stressed out, it can't possibly be good for your health. You're concerning yourself with things that 1) are much, much greater than you, and hence 2) things that you can't possibly change. I'm not "silencing discussion", because discussion shouldn't even be occuring between "Bolsa" and "Koray", it should occur between professionals, i.e. historians who have complete access to archives on both sides. Get it? You're simply wasting your time talking your mouth. What you could do, as I stated earlier, is relax, smoke some pot, and make love. That is, IMHO, a much more efficient use of the little time we have here on earth. Peace, out.

[Sean]

Koray, I don't care what you think. My postings are for people like The Infidel, who can handle adult conversations about important topics.

Koray said "discussion shouldn't even be occuring between 'Bolsa' and 'Koray', it should occur between professionals"

-- when people like you with no knowledge of the topic start shooting off their mouths, it forces people like me (and Bolsa) to respond. If we stay silent and don't set you straight, your voice will be the only one heard, and eventually, your lies will be confused for the Truth.

[Anastasios]

There are weak, strong, rich and poor. Dink was part of the strong.