ARMENIAN-CANADIAN ORGANIZATIONS LAUNCH “FREE ZARAKOLU” CAMPAIGN

The Armenian Youth Federation of Canada and Armen Karo Student Association launched a joint campaign to call for the release of Turkish journalist, publisher, writer and human rights advocate Ragıp Zarakolu on 8 March 2012 in Toronto. A group of dedicated Canadians came together at the Armenian community Centre of Toronto to write letters to the Honourable John Baird, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, to urge the government of Canada to call for Zarakolu’s release.
ARMENIAN YOUTH FEDERATION OF CANADA
ARMEN KARO STUDENT ASSOCIATION
45 HALLCROWN PLACE
TORONTO, ON  M2J 1P6
CANADA

PRESS RELEASE-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 8, 2012
E-MAIL: freezarakolu@armenkaro.org

ARMENIAN-CANADIAN ORGANIZATIONS LAUNCH “FREE ZARAKOLU” CAMPAIGN
The Armenian Youth Federation of Canada and Armen Karo Student Association launched a joint campaign to call for the release of Turkish journalist, publisher, writer and human rights advocate Ragıp Zarakolu on 8 March 2012 in Toronto. A group of dedicated Canadians came together at the Armenian community Centre of Toronto to write letters to the Honourable John Baird, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, to urge the government of Canada to call for Zarakolu’s release.
Several months ago, 40 intellectuals were arrested in Turkey on trumped-up charges of terrorism. Among them was Ragıp Zarakolu, who runs of one of the few publishing houses in the country which prints books on the Armenian Genocide and other topics deemed taboo.

Zarakolu is also a recipient of the National Library Award of the Republic of Armenia and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

The participants made it clear today that Canadians will not stand for restriction of freedom of expression and violations of human rights anywhere in the world.

Anyone interested in participating in the FREE ZARAKOLU Campaign can e-mail their letters addressed to Minister John Baird to freezarakolu@armenkaro.org. We urge conscientious youth around the world to initiate similar campaigns in their communities.

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Founded in 1934, the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada is the largest and most influential Armenian-Canadian youth organization in Canada, working to advance social, political, educational, and cultural awareness among Armenian-Canadian youth.

Founded in July 2005, Armen Karo Student Association’s mission is to assist Armenian Student Associations at Canadian universities, to promote Armenian studies on university campuses, and to mobilize our communities in furthering the Armenian Cause through political, academic and intellectual means on a local, provincial and national level.