AGMI director: Armenian Genocide recognition continues

 December 19, 2011 - 15:08 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Adoption of U.S. House Resolution 306 urging the Republic of Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated church properties as well as debates round the bill penalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide in France prove the process of Armenian Genocide international recognition continues, acting director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute said.

“Although the resolution does not directly speak about the Armenian Genocide, it nevertheless proves Turkey violated the principles of international law (preservation and return of property),” Hayk Demoyan told a press conference on December 19.

Reflecting on upcoming debate in French National Assembly on the bill penalizing the Genocide denial, Demoyan stressed that Turkey’s threats are unable to influence decisions of the French parliament.

“From time to time Turkish authorities threaten to recall ambassadors and sever relations, however these threats do not hit the target,” he said.

A draft law envisaging a one-year prison sentence and 45,000 euro fine for denying the Armenian Genocide is due to go before French parliament this week.

On December 14, U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 306, a religious freedom measure that calls upon Turkey to return stolen Armenian, Greek, Assyrian and Syrian church properties.