WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), today sent a letter to the prime minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressing concern over the recent conviction of two Turkish journalists, Arat Dink and Sekis Seropyan, for allegedly “insulting Turkishness” by calling the massacre of Armenians in the early 20th century a genocide.
Rep. Markey said, “Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are core values of democratic societies. The ‘insult to Turkishness’ is not discussing the Armenian genocide, it’s having a law on the books that criminalizes any such discussion. This law undermines Turkey’s basic democratic rights. I hope that the Turkish government will act to overturn this law which muzzles the freedom of speech of all Turks.”
Rep. Markey’s letter refers to Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, under which speaking or writing about the Armenian genocide is criminalized. Rep. Markey is a co-sponsor of the House resolution, H. Res. 106, to recognize the Armenian genocide.
Rep. Markey’s letter is available HERE.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 200 |
CONTACT: Jessica Schafer, 202.225.2836 |
