Genocide bill adoption confirms France's adherence to human rights – FM

PanARMENIAN.Net - Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian issued a statement on adoption of a bill penalizing Armenian Genocide denial at French National Assembly.According to Foreign Minister, by adopting the bill, France proved its reputation as a human rights defender and promoter of universal values.

“10 years ago, by recognising Armenian Genocide, French people proved their firm adherence to human rights. Adoption of a bill today was a clear demonstration that crimes against humanity have no expiration term, with their denial to merit nothing but condemnation,” Nalbandian stressed.

On December 22, French National Assembly passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial. The number of votes ‘in favor’ and ‘against’ is not announced yet.

The vote followed the December 7 decision by the Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly to adopt the bill introduced by MP Valerie Boyer (UMP).

The draft law 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.