PARIS (Armenpress)—Member of the French parliament, PACE (The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) Vice-President, and Chairman of the Armenia-France friendship group René Rouquet expressed his concerns over the recent verdict of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Doğu Perinçek’s case, ruling that the denial of the Armenian genocide is not a crime. According to the report by Armenpress, René Rouquet stated that this verdict is a blow to all those people, who are working for the restoration of the just memory of the Armenian people.

The PACE Vice-President raised a number of questions. First, he emphasized that Switzerland can appeal the verdict within three months in the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. Among other things, Rouquet noted, “In this respect the verdict is not final and the Grand Chamber can fulfill its function of protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with article 44 of the European Convention on Human Rights.”

In addition, Rouquet emphasized, “After this verdict I am more than convinced that denialism has no place at least on the European level. We must struggle until the final triumph on the international level. This is our sacred duty before the memory of the victims of the first Genocide of the 20th century.”

Previously it was reported that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) announced an ambiguous verdict on Doğu Perinçek’s case, particularly taking into consideration the fact that two of the seven judges cast their vote against the verdict. The Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Hrayr Tovmasyan underscored that, while announcing the verdict, the ECHR laid a heavy emphasis on the fact that Doğu Perinçek is a historian and scientist.

The ANC’s French Office and the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (ANC of Europe) issued a statement, which says: “The court’s verdict is extremely dangerous and provides direct support to the stream of denialism in Europe orchestrated by Ankara and Baku and paves an additional way for them. This infamous decision of the European Court transgresses the right to dignity of the Armenian Genocide victims and their descendants.”