On April 10, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on awarding individuals who made a considerable contribution to the process of recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

According to presidential press office, the 2009 President’s award was given to Director of the Irish Center for Human Rights William Schabas for the scientific substantiation of the Genocide and initiatives on counteracting its denial.

The award was also given to Chairman of Switzerland-Armenia Association Sarkis Shahinian for initiating the process of official recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Switzerland and contribution to the adoption of the law envisaging criminal liability for denying the first genocide of the 20th century.