Open the Turkey-Armenia Border and Name the Checkpoint After Dink: Turkish Professor's Statement

The Turkish organization "DurDe" ("Say No to Racism and Nationalism") published a statement from Turkish historian and professor Taner Akçam, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of Hrant Dink's assassination on January 15. The Turkish professor referred to Dink as Turkey's Martin Luther King.

Martin Luther King was an American clergyman and activist known for his fight for civil rights. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent resistance against racial discrimination.

Ermenihaber.am presents excerpts from Taner Akçam's address:

“Hrant Dink, like Martin Luther King, was killed because he had a philosophy that challenged the foundation of the republic (Turkey). He was murdered because he demanded civil equal rights. As long as Dink is not declared a founding member of the republic, democracy and respect for human rights will not prevail in this country, and this republic cannot be crowned with democracy. This republic was established by marginalizing Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, and Jews. Dink was killed because he said, ‘I am Armenian. You will accept me this way.’ He was killed because he stated that it is possible to be both Armenian and a citizen with equal rights.

My assertion is as follows: Hrant Dink is a psychological dominance. He may penetrate slowly but surely into the capillaries of this society. The number of those who wish to know and understand Dink is growing, as he represents something new that we have been missing. My last word is as follows: please open the Turkey-Armenia border and name the border checkpoint ‘Hrant Dink Checkpoint’. This would be a significant step toward correcting the mistakes made during the establishment of the republic.”