Rep. Schiff says U.S. Supreme Court decision ‘deeply disappointing’

PanARMENIAN.Net - Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) released the following statement after the Supreme Court declined to hear arguments in Movsesian v. Versicherung AG:

"The Supreme Court's decision to decline to hear arguments in Movsesian v. Versicherung AG is deeply disappointing, both because of the urgent need to secure justice for the victims of the Armenian Genocide and their survivors, and the important constitutional issues at stake. As a State Senator, I was a principal cosponsor of the bill which extended the statute of limitations on such claims, and I feel a compelling personal interest in maintaining access to justice for victims of genocide.

"Prior to the court's recent decision, I drafted legislation to make it clear that it is the policy of the United States to assist the victims of genocide, whether the Armenian genocide or any other atrocity, in pursuing claims for redress. The federal government should be encouraging states to provide a venue for the victims of genocide, not impeding legal claims. With the decision, such legislation is all the more essential and I will be working with the community to put the final touches on the bill prior to its introduction."

The U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will not review a Ninth Circuit Court decision which struck down a California law extending the statute of limitations on Armenian Genocide-era insurance claims cases.

The decision lets stand a lower court decision which effectively prevents U.S. citizens from pursuing redress for unpaid insurance claims by using the rarely invoked foreign affairs pre-emption doctrine.