‘These Recent Provocations and Attacks are Not Independent or Random Acts’

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Nine civil society organizations have released a joint statement regarding the death threats targeting Rakel Dink, the wife of late journalist Hrant Dink, and the attorneys of Hrant Dink Foundation.

Underlining that "the paths that led to the assassination of Hrant Dink were paved by the same same language of hatred," they have called on the responsible ones to "end the provocations and stop fanning grudge and hatred" and the authorities to "fulfill their duties and responsibilities properly."

CLICK - Hrant Dink Foundation Says It Receives Death Threats

In a written statement released by the Hrant Dink Foundation on Friday (May 29), it was announced that Rakel Dink and the attorneys of the foundation had received death threats via email on May 27 and 28.

Süleyman Soylu, the Minister of Interior, made a statement about the issue on his Twitter account yesterday (May 30) and announced that the suspect who sent the threatening mails in question was caught.

'We have endured this play repeatedly'

"We, citizens of the Republic of Turkey, have seen and endured this play repeatedly. It has a bad ending," the statement of the organizations has read and continued as follows:

"Once again, provocative acts that intend to unnerve people and create anxiety, chaos, and insecurity are coming one after another.

"A few examples of these include: the attack on the Vefa (social support group) workers in Başkale, Van, with long-range weapons; the intimidation of opposition leaders and people by showing weapons; the arrest of the chair of the youth affiliation of the CHP branch of Yüreğir town of Adana; the broadcasting of the song "Bella Ciao" from the speaker of a mosque in Izmir; the attempt to burn the door of a church in Bakırköy; the stealing of the cross and destroying the tombs of the Kuzguncuk Armenian Church.

'Guided actions triggered by language of hate'

"The most recent case of these unacceptable acts took place two days ago, when an email sent to the Hrant Dink Foundation delivered death threats to Rakel Dink and the lawyers of the foundation by including the line of intimidation, 'we may suddenly arrive one night,' which we heard repeatedly in similar periods in the past.

"These recent provocations and attacks, appearing one after another, are not independent or random acts. These are guided actions that are triggered by the language of hate aiming at discrimination and divisions in the society and spreading fear. Not subjected to prosecution and penalty, these acts not only strengthen but also encourage the architects of sinister plans.

'Same hate language led to his assassination'

"We experienced similar situations in the past. The paths that led to the assassination of Hrant Dink were paved by the same language of hatred. This movie was played for us again and again for decades. The movie had a bad ending every time.

"We invite those responsible to end the provocations and stop fanning grudge and hatred, as well as the authorities to fulfill their duties and responsibilities properly.

"We, as the citizens of the Republic of Turkey who condemn all forms of discrimination, extend our sympathies to the Hrant Dink Foundation and express our solidarity with them."

What happened?

On May 29, Hrant Dink Foundation released a written statement for the press and announced that Rakel Dink, the wife of late journalist Hrant Dink, and the attorneys of the foundation received death threats via email on May 27 and 28. The foundation indicated that it notified Şişli District Security Directorate and İstanbul Governor's Office of the threats.

"The email included the phrase 'We may turn up one night, when you least expect it', a slogan used boastfully in certain circles, and the very same slogan we were well used to hearing before Hrant Dink was so publicly assassinated, and with the knowledge of official bodies, on 19 January 2007. The threat accuses the Hrant Dink Foundation of telling 'tales of fraternity', demands us to leave the country and threatens Rakel Dink and the foundation's lawyer with death," the statement read.

The foundation also noted that the recently increasing racist and discriminatory discourse would encourage and instigate such threats.

Süleyman Soylu, the Minister of Interior, made a brief statement about the issue on his Twitter account one day later, on May 30, and announced that the suspect who sent the threatening mails in question was caught. "We will not let provocation. Trust the Turkish Police," he said.

(HA/SD)