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EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
For Justice and Democracy
(former C.D.C.A. Europe)
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B-1000 BRUXELLES
Tel./Fax : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail : [email protected]
Web : http://www.eafjd.org
European Court of Human Rights ruling a disgrace to Armenian Genocide
victims' memories; strengthens Turkish extremism and negationism
)
Brussels, 18 December 2013.- The European Court of Human Rights in its
ruling of December 17, 2013 has confirmed that the Armenian Genocide
denial does not constitute a delinquent act. According to it, the
decision adopted by the Court of Lausanne in 2007 condemning Dogu
Perincek, the president of Worker's Party of Turkey for his
negationist statements violates the principles of freedom of
expression.
The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy condemns
this statement to its very dangerous extent that preaches impunity in
Europe and clears the way for the denial orchestrated by Ankara and
Baku. Once again, referring to the principles of freedom of
expression, the European Court, by its statement, has made void the
rights for honor and dignity, the protection of Genocide victims and
their descendants.
In the result of such a decision, if it is finalized, Armenians,
trampled and impinged upon their rights will not find a protection and
legal defense in Europe any more. Without an effective justice no one
can confirm what kind of steps will be undertaken by the European
citizens of Armenian origin in search of legal protection. This
statement will enforce Turkish extremism that sees itself encouraged
by this act ` and silence the voices of truth being raised in Turkey.
Moreover, the European Court of Human Rights stating that `the term
genocide does not constitute a consensus', it equates to Pernicek's
denialist statement of `Armenian Genocide is an international
lie'. Furthermore, how the ECHR can state that `this issue shall be
distinguished clearly from that of Holocaust denial'? How is it
possible to accept such a differentiation from the highest European
court on Human Rights? The court obviously has misinterpreted its
role, commenting historically and politically proven facts, on
unfounded and extremely oversimplified arguments, without even
consulting the International Genocide Scholars Association, which
unanimously accepted the Armenian Genocide as such. The European
Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy, in collaboration with
the French Office of the Armenian Cause and the Armenian National
Committees all over Europe, will enact by all means to object to this
ruling. At present, Switzerland has a period of three months to appeal
against this ruling and ask for an appeal on this. Our efforts now
shall be directed to following the execution of such appeal by Swiss
authorities. For this purpose, the French Office of the Armenian
Cause, has asked for a meeting with the Ambassador of Switzerland in
France. Similar actions will be organized by different Committees of
the Armenian Cause all over the world, in an agreed manner.
#####
From: Baghdasarian
For Justice and Democracy
(former C.D.C.A. Europe)
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B-1000 BRUXELLES
Tel./Fax : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail : [email protected]
Web : http://www.eafjd.org
European Court of Human Rights ruling a disgrace to Armenian Genocide
victims' memories; strengthens Turkish extremism and negationism
)
Brussels, 18 December 2013.- The European Court of Human Rights in its
ruling of December 17, 2013 has confirmed that the Armenian Genocide
denial does not constitute a delinquent act. According to it, the
decision adopted by the Court of Lausanne in 2007 condemning Dogu
Perincek, the president of Worker's Party of Turkey for his
negationist statements violates the principles of freedom of
expression.
The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy condemns
this statement to its very dangerous extent that preaches impunity in
Europe and clears the way for the denial orchestrated by Ankara and
Baku. Once again, referring to the principles of freedom of
expression, the European Court, by its statement, has made void the
rights for honor and dignity, the protection of Genocide victims and
their descendants.
In the result of such a decision, if it is finalized, Armenians,
trampled and impinged upon their rights will not find a protection and
legal defense in Europe any more. Without an effective justice no one
can confirm what kind of steps will be undertaken by the European
citizens of Armenian origin in search of legal protection. This
statement will enforce Turkish extremism that sees itself encouraged
by this act ` and silence the voices of truth being raised in Turkey.
Moreover, the European Court of Human Rights stating that `the term
genocide does not constitute a consensus', it equates to Pernicek's
denialist statement of `Armenian Genocide is an international
lie'. Furthermore, how the ECHR can state that `this issue shall be
distinguished clearly from that of Holocaust denial'? How is it
possible to accept such a differentiation from the highest European
court on Human Rights? The court obviously has misinterpreted its
role, commenting historically and politically proven facts, on
unfounded and extremely oversimplified arguments, without even
consulting the International Genocide Scholars Association, which
unanimously accepted the Armenian Genocide as such. The European
Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy, in collaboration with
the French Office of the Armenian Cause and the Armenian National
Committees all over Europe, will enact by all means to object to this
ruling. At present, Switzerland has a period of three months to appeal
against this ruling and ask for an appeal on this. Our efforts now
shall be directed to following the execution of such appeal by Swiss
authorities. For this purpose, the French Office of the Armenian
Cause, has asked for a meeting with the Ambassador of Switzerland in
France. Similar actions will be organized by different Committees of
the Armenian Cause all over the world, in an agreed manner.
#####
From: Baghdasarian