SWITZERLAND CONVICTED IN “GENOCIDE” CASE

BIAnet, Turkey
Dec 1 2013

The European Court of Human Right found Switzerland guilty of violating
the freedom of expression for convicting Dogu Perincek when he denied
“Armenian Genocide”.

Erol ONDEROÄ~^LU

The European Court of Human Right (ECHR) found Switzerland guilty of
violating the freedom of expression for convicting Dogu Perincek when
he denied “Armenian Genocide” of 1915.

The court issued the verdict anonymously, finding the reasoning of
swiss court for conviction insufficient.

“In matters like this with no consensus, an aversive effect is very
unlikely,” the verdict cited.

Agreeing that Convention Article 10 was violated, the court, however,
didn’t require Switzerland to pay for damages to Perincek.

On March 9, 2007, Lausanne Peace Court convicted Perincek of denying
the genocide allegations and finding it an “international lie”. He
was ordered to serve prison sentence which was later on commuted to
9,000 Swiss Francs. An addition 3,000 Swiss Frans was also issued
but both fines were postponed as well.

The verdict was also confirmed by an appeals court in Vaud.

Once Perincek’s legal options ran out in Swiss Court system, he
applied to ECHR.

What happened before?

The Swiss Court convicted Perincek, chairman of Turkey’s Labor Party
for “discrimination based on race” according to Article 261 of Swiss
Penal Code.

“It is racist and imperialist,” Perincek said after the verdict had
been announced.

On May 7, 2005 which corresponds to the anniversary of Luasanne Treaty,
Perincek made a speech in Luasanne denying such allegations.

He made another speech on the issue in Opfikon 18 days after.

Perincek stood trial in Switzerland according to a law penalizing the
denial of “Armenian Genocide”. While a similar law was also approved
by the French Parliament, it is curretly awaiting for approval from
the French Senate. (EO/BM)

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress