Ara Gochunyan: ECHR ruling to promote creation of more open atmosphere over Armenian Cause in Turkey

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, ARMENPRESS:

The decision of the European Court of Human Rights according to which the recognition of the Armenian Genocide cannot be considered a crime in Turkey will promote the creation of more open atmosphere over this issue in Turkey, chief editor of Istanbul-based Armenian "Zhamanak" paper Ara Gochunyan told Armenpress. According to him, the decisions of the international establishments do not immediately bring to radical changes in Turkey but after a while, they are having positive impact.

"As a result of democratic reforms of recent years in Turkey noticeable changes connected with freedom of expression take place in that country. One of the most painful topics from the point of view of freedom of expression is the Armenian Cause. Till now there is a problem of speaking about it. In spite of it, it is a fact that now alternative opinions over this issue are being voiced by the Turkish mass media more frequently," Gochunyan said.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has found guilty the Turkish authorities for persecuting Turkish historian Taner Akcam. The ruling of the court says that Turkish authorities have many times violated the right of Turkish people to the freedom of speech, the Article 10 of the European Convention.

The Turkish historian sued the Turkish authorities, insisting that the latter exert pressure on him for mentioning the issue of the Armenian Genocide.