SRASBOURG, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Attorney and renowned human rights advocate, member of Armenian team at the European Court of Human Rights Geoffrey Robertson considers the decision on “Perinçek v. Switzerland” case made by the ECHR on October 15, 2015 as favorable for Armenians. “When you read attentively, you realize that this decision entirely neutralizes the previous decision made by the lower chamber of the ECHR, when the fact of the Genocide was put in doubt. Besides, the UCHR announces that Armenian have right to respect and the position of Armenia’s over the Genocide must be respected and mentions that those positions must be protected”,  “Armenpress” reports, citing Public TV’s “First Informational”, Robertson  told.

According to him, the highest European court has also mentioned that the Armenian people must be respected throughout Europe for his history and perceptions from the viewpoint of Genocide sufferings. “This is really a goof revelation: it means that one can be called to responsibility for Genocide denial, which is part of hatred. And the court said that if you attempt to approve the Armenian Genocide, you must be convicted”, Robertson noted.

The European Court announced its decision on Perinçek v. Switzerland case on October 15, 2015. Armenia was represented as a third party in Perinçek v. Switzerland case. Being a third party, the Republic of Armenia expected to exclude formulations casting doubts on the Armenian Genocide. Armenian Government considers that all the demands of the Government of Armenia were satisfied by the European Court. At the same time, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that his criminal prosecution did not itself contradict to the Court's case law, but held that the Swiss law had been applied inadequately in respect of Perincek. Thus, the criminalization of the Armenian Genocide denial and criminal prosecution for it are generally considered legitimate. However, it should be done exclusively within the Convention standards.