Press condemns 'lynch culture'

Turkey's mainstream papers are united in condemning the murder of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

Several say Article 301, which makes it a crime to "insult Turkishness", has contributed to an atmosphere that encourages nationalism. They call on the state and society clearly to reject extremism.

BEKIR COSKUN in HURRIYET

The people of this country are crying over a murdered Armenian citizen and have declared the nationalist who shot him as someone who betrayed the motherland. Could there be a better answer to fanaticism?

YALCIN BAYER in HURRIYET

The body of Hrant Dink is being borne by the nation. Everyone must demand that the coffin be wrapped in the Turkish flag. This will be a meaningful message to the world in terms of unity and fraternity.

MEHMET ALI BIRAND in POSTA

We are the real murderers of Hrant. We have brought up our murderers in an atmosphere and mentality created by Article 301.

MERAL TAMER in MILLIYET

Dink is a hero of democracy; a martyr for freedom of expression. Prime Minister Erdogan must reconsider his decision not to go to the funeral.

DERYA SAZAK in MILLIYET

Hrant's killing is an injustice to him, his family, Armenian society and Turkey. The "oppressed majority" is rejecting lynch culture, racism and fascist nationalism.

ISMET BERKAN in RADIKAL

A person whose betrayal of the motherland is beyond question for some people and whose act of "insulting Turkishness" has been confirmed by a court decision can be killed easily by racists.

ALI SIRMEN in CUMHURIYET

On TV we declared that Dink insulted Turkishness. We had to wait for Ogun Samast [Dink's alleged killer] to see how Turkishness can really be insulted.

SAHIN ALPAY in ZAMAN

Hrant's killing is a very heavy blow to Turkey's credibility. If we take a stand against intolerance, against every kind of racism and fanaticism as a state and society, maybe it will be possible to ease the deep pain and shame that we are feeling.

BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.