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ANTELIAS: HH Aram I: ECHR Decision condones "nagationism"

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  • ANTELIAS: HH Aram I: ECHR Decision condones "nagationism"

    PRESS RELEASE
    Catholicosate of Cilicia
    Communication and Information Department
    Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
    Fax: (04) 419724
    E- mail: [email protected]
    Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/

    PO Box 70 317
    Antelias-Lebanon

    The decision of the European Court of Human (UCHR) condones 'negationism,'
    wrote His Holiness Aram I to the Federal Counselor Simonetta Sammaruga


    Antelias - 10 February 2014. In a letter to the Federal Counselor of the
    Department of Justice and Police, Simonetta Sammaruga, His Holiness Aram I
    shared the indignation of Armenians with the decision of the European Court
    of Human Rights on the Perençik case condemning Switzerland. The Catholicos
    wrote," legitimization of negationism of the Armenian Genocide by the ECHR
    not only deepens the wound of victimization, but also insinuates contempt
    and racism against our people; it strengthens the position of those in
    Turkey who use hate language to hinder all processes aiming at truth and
    justice."

    Addressing the issue of freedom of expression, the Catholicos wrote, "the
    decision of the ECHR condemning Switzerland challenges the country's
    commitment to freedom of expression and the safeguard of public order.
    Questioning this crucial principle by the ECHR is a matter that has to be
    discussed by the Court's Grand Chamber in order to set the parameters within
    which member states could condemn freedom of speech.

    His Holiness Aram I then encouraged the Counselor to appeal to the Grand
    Chamber of the European Court because it will also ensure impartiality.

    Representatives of the Catholicosate of Cilicia discuss the 100th
    Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide with the Moderator and
    General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC)

    Antelias - 11 February 2014. On Monday, around the meeting of the
    Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches held in Geneva,
    Archbishop Nareg Alemezian member of the Executive Committee and Ms. Teny
    Pirri-Simonian, member of the Central Committee, met with the Moderator Dr.
    Agnes Abuom and General Secretary Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit to discuss the 10th
    Assembly Minute regarding the WCC's commemoration of the 100th Anniversary
    of the Armenian Genocide.

    Archbishop Nareg conveyed the greetings of His Holiness Aram I and
    informed the Moderator and General Secretary of the activities that the
    Catholicosate of Cilicia has planned for the commemoration of the 100th
    anniversary of the Genocide in 2015. This was followed by a presentation by
    Ms. Teny Pirri-Simonian, who is also President of ARMENOFAS, the
    Swiss-Armenian Foundation, of the plans of the Foundation and the Federation
    of Swiss Protestant Churches to commemorate the Genocide next year in
    Switzerland, as discussed recently Rev. Dr. Gottfried Locher, by the
    President of The Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches, the ARMENOFAS
    Board, and His Holiness Aram I.

    In view of the Minute adopted by the WCC 10th Assembly on the 100th
    Anniversary of the Genocide, it was decided: 1) to organize the
    international consultation recommended by the Assembly between February and
    March 2015; 2) to consider a theme on 'Impunity' that WCC had discussed and
    around which the Catholicosate of Cilicia had organized an international
    conference; 3) nominate a small committee to assist the staff in planning
    the conference.

    The General Secretary agreed to invite the Armenian members of the Central
    Committee of the World Council of Churches to accompany the staff in
    implement the recommendations of the assembly. They comprise Archbishop
    Vicken Aykazian and Ms. Paula Der Matevossian (Holy See Etchmiadzin) and
    Archbishop Nareg Alemezian and Ms. Teny Pirri-Simonian (Holy See of
    Cilicia).
    ##
    http://armenianorthodoxchurch.org/gallery-2

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