TURKEY: UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS MURDER OF EDITOR

TURKEY: UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS MURDER OF EDITOR
New York, May 23 2007 8:00AM
The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has deplored the killing of Hrant Dink, editor of the Armenian-language weekly Agos, in Istanbul.

"I condemn the killing of Hrant Dink," Koïchiro Matsuura declared. "Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and press freedom, its corollary, is a cornerstone of democracy and rule of law.

The UNESCO chief welcomed "the speed with which the Turkish authorities investigated this case, proof of their determination not to let this heinous crime go unpunished."

Mr. Dink was shot outside the offices of his publication on 19 January. The 53-year old editor, a prominent public figure, is reported to have been the target of threats from Turkish nationalists.

2007-05-23 00:00:00.000

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