Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II expressed his concern by the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) decision on the case Dogu Perincek v. Switzerland.

In this connection, he sent a letter to President Didier Burkhalter of the Swiss Confederation, and expressed resentment against the ECtHR judgment, which poses a threat against the restoration of justice and the establishment of peace and mutual respect among nations.

Expressing solidarity with the widespread resentment over this matter, Karekin II urged the Swiss government to appeal this ruling.

The Catholicos also sent an official letter to General Secretary Olav Fykse Tveit of the World Council of Churches, and urged the Council member churches to raise their voice against this ominous judgment.

On December 17, 2013, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of Armenian Genocide-denying Turkish politician Dogu Perincek’s lawsuit that was filed against Switzerland. The said judgment by the ECtHR was made on the grounds of freedom of speech. In 2008, a Swiss court had convicted Perincek for denying the Armenian Genocide. Dogu Perincek is Chairman of the socialist Workers’ Party of Turkey. In addition, he heads the Talat Pasha organization, which actively fights against the Armenian Genocide’s recognition in Europe.