The Armenian National Assembly strictly condemns the perfidious assassination of Hrant Dink and rates the crime as an outrage against freedom of speech, human rights and a representative of Armenian national minority, says the statement issued by RA NA. "Expressing our indignation the Armenian National Assembly states that the evil schemed by the Turkish nationalist circles took deep roots as result of incitement of hatred against Armenians and anti-Armenian propaganda. Retreat from history at the level of Turkish leaders, the Armenian Genocide denial campaign and unruly persecutions of intelligentsia for raising the issue have encouraged nationalists to make the voice of freedom silent…

We express our concern over the symptoms that have emerged in Turkey. The public indignation is being replaced by a reverse tendency. Nationalism, xenophobia and idolization of criminals are gaining force in Turkey again.

The fact that the law enforcement bodies were aware of the killing scheme but did not exert any effort to prevent the crime arouses deep concern as well. The Armenian National Assembly ascertains that reconciliation with the past and the acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide as well as repeal of the article 301 appears as a necessity for creation of atmosphere of mutual trust between the two nations," the statement says in part.