Menu
Latest
Menu
Latest
French National Assembly discussing Bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide denial

French National Assembly discussing Bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide denial

22 December 2011

French parliament is discussing the bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide denial authored by Valerie Boyer of the Union for Popular Movement (UMP).

French socialist MP, Jean-Paul Lecoq delivered a speech at the parliament hearings on the bill saying that communists and the left will support the bill, since the effective legislation of France does not allow punishing for denial of the Armenian Genocide.

UMP MP Renaud Muselier regarded as honor to support such bill that is part of the process France initiated long ago. He confirmed the friendship with Turkey, which is France's partner, and recalled that Turkey cannot take measures against France. He called Turkey a big country and a strong partner that must recognize its own history. Turkey will get a favorable place in the world if it looks in the eyes of its own past, Muselier said and added that France should help a country that was deprived of its motherland. Another MP, member of France-Armenia deputy friendship group, Dominique Suchet said that bill may encourage the civil society in Turkey to get rid of the burden of denial and accept their own history.

He called Turkey's suggestion to set up a commission of historians to study the genocide fact inadmissible, since genocide is not a subject for bargaining. He called the bill completion of the Armenian Diaspora's consistent fight. For his part, Fracois Roshblua
President of France-Armenia friendship group, said that recognizing the Armenian Genocide Turkey will turn over the tragicpage of the 1915 events. "I can understand the pain of the French, Armenians by origin. In 1915 Young Turks committed meaningful massacre of Armenians," he said. Roshblua said that Turkey's threats are inadmissible. History distortion and destruction of cultural heritage remains unpunished. France, as a sovereign state, cannot but respond to such actions, he said.

Today French National Assembly will vote on the bill authored by Valerie Boyer of the Union for Popular Movement (UMP) by the proposal of several Senate members. The bill is criminalizing the Armenian genocide denial, amends the law on freedom press criminalizing, proposing a clause on racially motivating crimes. The new bill stipulates one year in prison and a fine in the amount of 45,000 Euros for anyone who denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide in the territory of France, which officially recognized the Armenian genocide on Jan 29 2001. If passed, the bill will need Senate's approval and ratification of the president.

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged
Trending

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

9 June 2021
Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Azerbaijani members of thematic groups for dialogue with Armenians briefed, as work on five final reports continues in earnest
Trending

Azerbaijani members of thematic groups for dialogue with Armenians briefed, as work on five final reports continues in earnest

27 September 2025
On Friday, (26 September) there was another amazing event in the process of Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue, this time in Baku. Around twenty five Azerbaijanis involved in five thematic groups established by LINKS Europe earlier this year were briefed by Murad Muradov, co-Chair of the thematic group on Peace and Security; Liman Namazova, Chair of the thematic group on Environment; Lala Jumayeva, Chair of the thematic group on gender and diversity; Nigar Gurbanli, Deputy Chair of the thematic group on regional connectivity; and Ramazan Samadov, Deputy Chair of the thematic group on Governance, on the work done so-far. Murad Muradov spoke about his visit to Yerevan earlier in the week, and his speech to Armenian thematic group members. He said the momentum for peace, dialogue and regional co-operation was stronger than ever before. Ambassadors and other representatives of EU member states and others, as well as representatives of the EU Delegation, the EUSR office and other international institutions were in attendance. In a short speech to the gathering, LINKS Europe Director, Dr Dennis Sammut, said that enemies of peace remained active in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Many had been warmongers for years, and it was difficult for them to change. However it was important to engage them, and have an open and honest discussion with them. The Azerbaijani members of the thematic groups are eager to meet their Armenian counterparts in person in Tbilisi 27-28 October, when they hope to finish the work on the five reports.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Azerbaijani members of thematic groups for dialogue with Armenians briefed, as work on five final reports continues in earnest
Trending

Azerbaijani members of thematic groups for dialogue with Armenians briefed, as work on five final reports continues in earnest

27 September 2025
On Friday, (26 September) there was another amazing event in the process of Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue, this time in Baku. Around twenty five Azerbaijanis involved in five thematic groups established by LINKS Europe earlier this year were briefed by Murad Muradov, co-Chair of the thematic group on Peace and Security; Liman Namazova, Chair of the thematic group on Environment; Lala Jumayeva, Chair of the thematic group on gender and diversity; Nigar Gurbanli, Deputy Chair of the thematic group on regional connectivity; and Ramazan Samadov, Deputy Chair of the thematic group on Governance, on the work done so-far. Murad Muradov spoke about his visit to Yerevan earlier in the week, and his speech to Armenian thematic group members. He said the momentum for peace, dialogue and regional co-operation was stronger than ever before. Ambassadors and other representatives of EU member states and others, as well as representatives of the EU Delegation, the EUSR office and other international institutions were in attendance. In a short speech to the gathering, LINKS Europe Director, Dr Dennis Sammut, said that enemies of peace remained active in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Many had been warmongers for years, and it was difficult for them to change. However it was important to engage them, and have an open and honest discussion with them. The Azerbaijani members of the thematic groups are eager to meet their Armenian counterparts in person in Tbilisi 27-28 October, when they hope to finish the work on the five reports.