In Perincek-Switzerland Case, ECHR Grand Chamber ruled by a majority of ten judges against seven that Switzerland had violated Perincek’s freedom of speech. Switzerland-Armenia Association, which started this process by opening a lawsuit against Perinçek, reacted to EHCR’s decision.
Here is the press release of SAA:
“While freedom of expression is essential and fundamental in a democratic society, it is not absolute. Freedom of expression cannot be misused for rewriting history, particularly so for seeking to deny or justify genocide, which is the most absolute and heinous of crimes.
Grand Chamber, with this judgment, objected the judgment of Swiss court by breaching one of the most important principles in European Convention on Human Rights.
This judgment undermines the awareness that was raised during the commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in order to recognize the genocide; including the letter of Pope Francis that he released in Vatican on April 12. The majority confirms that the massacre of Armenians is genocide and this is a historical evidence. This fact cannot be systematically questioned.
SAA cannot do anything except from pointing out that Turkey has been using Perinçek like a “sales representative” who conducts the state’s denial policy. SAA makes a call for the countries which are the members of the Council of Europe to take action against this denial that violates all the essential principles of the Convention.”
