Hrant Dink

Hrant Dink (September 15, 1954 – January 19, 2007) was a Turkish-Armenian journalist, writer, and editor-in-chief of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly newspaper Agos. Dink was an outspoken advocate for Turkish-Armenian reconciliation and an end to the Turkish government's denial of the Armenian Genocide. He was assassinated in Istanbul on January 19, 2007, by a young Turkish nationalist.

Dink was born in Malatya, Turkey, to an Armenian family. He studied journalism at Istanbul University and began his career as a journalist in the 1970s. In 1996, he co-founded Agos, which became a leading voice for the Armenian community in Turkey. Dink's writings and activism made him a target of Turkish nationalists, who accused him of treason and of supporting Armenian terrorism. He was threatened with death on numerous occasions and was eventually assassinated in broad daylight outside the offices of Agos.

Dink's assassination sparked widespread protests in Turkey and around the world. It also led to a renewed debate about the Armenian Genocide and the Turkish government's refusal to acknowledge it. In 2010, the Turkish government issued an official apology for the Armenian Genocide, but it has yet to recognize the genocide as a crime against humanity.

Dink was a courageous and outspoken journalist who dedicated his life to promoting peace and reconciliation between Turks and Armenians. His assassination was a tragic loss for Turkey and for the cause of human rights.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Dink was also a writer and a poet. He published two books of poetry and a collection of essays. He was also a regular contributor to the Turkish newspaper Milliyet.

Dink was a recipient of numerous awards, including the International Press Institute's World Press Freedom Hero award in 2006. He was also posthumously awarded the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize in 2007.

Dink's assassination had a profound impact on Turkey. It led to a renewed debate about the Armenian Genocide and the Turkish government's refusal to acknowledge it. It also sparked widespread protests and calls for justice. Dink's legacy continues to inspire people around the world who are working to promote peace and reconciliation.