  French MP: Genocide bill is a tool for human rights protection  December 22, 2011 - 14:09 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - The law fosters spreading of the phenomenon unless it envisages punishment, a French member of parliament, mayor of Nice said. Christian Estrosi assessed 1915 events as Genocide, noting that the bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide denial will contribute to human rights protection. “The draft law will help us protect the weak from dictators,” he said, expressing unawareness about existence of documents that denounce the fact of Genocide. For his part, French MP René Rouquet stated that December 22 “may become human rights protection day citing justice towards Armenians as the purpose of ongoing debate.” “Since 2001, France has strived to return Armenian property to its rightful owners,” he added. Today, December 22, the French parliament is debating the bill, which envisages a year in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros for those who publicly deny the Armenian Genocide in France. Turkey has piled pressure on France to drop the law ahead of the vote, with President Abdullah Gul and a Turkish delegation to Paris warning its adoption will spark a diplomatic crisis and have economic consequences.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Topic Latest news Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan  A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia.U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel.Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |
