Armenian Agos newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief, journalist Hrant Dink, who was murdered by state-sponsored fascists in Istanbul on January 19, 2007, was commemorated in front of the house where he was born in the Çavuşoğlu neighbourhood in Malatya province. The commemoration was attended by members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Republican People's Party (CHP), Labour Party (EMEP), Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), Left Party, Human Rights Association (IHD), the Union of Public Employees (KESK) Malatya Branches Platform, Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association (PSAKD) and Malatya Democracy Platform.

'A TRUTH COMMISSION SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED'

Speaking here, PSAKD’s Ören Branch Head Mazlum Köse said that Hrant Dink was threatened by the system because of his discourse, identity, and critical stance. He noted that Dink was murdered because the threats were not prevented.

Köse pointed out that Dink had advocated for the democratization of Turkey. He said: “Although 16 years have passed since Dink's murder, those responsible have not been revealed yet. The reason why those responsible are protected is the lack of an independent, comprehensive and effective investigation, and the policy of impunity. As human rights defenders, we say no to impunity.”

Köse urged Turkish officials to confront the past and establish a Truth Commission. He continued: “We believe that thousands of unsolved murders, and that of Dink, will be revealed with the establishment of this commission. However, the government has neither the intention nor the courage to establish a truth commission. As human rights defenders, we will continue our struggle until a genuine confrontation with the past is achieved.”