Switzerland Convicted in “Genocide” Case

The European Court of Human Right (ECHR) found Switzerland guilty of violating the freedom of expression for convicting Doğu Perinçek 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 Perinçek. 

On March 9, 2007, Lausanne Peace Court convicted Perinçek 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 Perinçek’s legal options ran out in Swiss Court system, he applied to ECHR.

What happened before?

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

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

On May 7, 2005 which corresponds to the anniversary of Luasanne Treaty, Perinçek made a speech in Luasanne denying such allegations. He made another speech on the issue in Opfikon 18 days after. 

Perinçek 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. (EÖ/BM)