WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America has welcomed the State Department’s first public expression of concern regarding a recent Turkish court’s “blasphemy” ruling against noted journalist and writer Sevan Nisanyan, an ethnic Armenian citizen of Turkey.
In a June 7, 2013 letter, the Department of State responded to ANCA’s requests for a public U.S. position on this human rights and religious freedom issue, by noting: “We are deeply concerned about any attempt to punish individuals for exercising their right to free speech, including the case of Sevan Nisanyan. The long term stability, security, and prosperity of all countries, including Turkey are best guaranteed by upholding the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. These freedoms are crucial to any healthy democracy.”
The ANCA has, in its outreach to the White House and State Department on this case, stressed the need for a vocal American defense of Nisanyan’s right to freedom of expression, noting that the U.S. government, despite many warning signs – including those shared by the ANCA – remained publicly silent on Turkey’s persecution of writer Hrant Dink, until after he was assassinated in 2007. The ANCA will continue to press for a more active and vocal U.S. defense of Nisanyan, who has, in the past, been prosecuted and politically pressured over his truthful statements about the Armenian Genocide.
So if the ANCA had not pressed the White House and the State Dept. on Sevan Nisanyan’s case, they would have remained silent and complacent as usual since Turkey is the culprit. We all know how much Obama and the State Dept. love the Turks and the Turkish government. The nation of Islam.
ErdoBama style Turkish Democracy
Just out of curiosity, how are the rights of Turks and/or Azeris in Armenia doing these days?
Ricardo. They key word in your question is “these days”. They would enjoy full rights, like other minorities and citizens of RoA , if they were still around. In the “old” Soviet days, they cohabited the same lands with little issue. However, the Republic of Turkey continuously and unabashedly throughout its history has slaughtered minorities and their rights. Example, today’s Gezi Park and its environs were confiscated Armenian Church property/ cemetery turned into Turkish barracks. So back to you Ricardo: How are the rights Armenian and other minorities in Turkey doing today? The recent events in Taksim shows us the answer (FYI)….