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.