Sarkozy approves Genocide bill

January 5, 2012 - 12:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - President of France Nicolas Sarkozy approved the bill penalizing the Armenian Genocide denial, passing it to the Senate for confirmation.

On January 10, the draft law will be debated by the Senate committee, later by Constitutional Court to be placed on MPs’ discussion agenda on January 23-31.

Afterwards, if approved by President the bill signed into law.

Despite unanimous endorsement of the bill by French MPs from various political parties, government members do not share their standpoint.

“This is a futile and counterproductive bill, which will have serious consequences on bilateral ties with Turkey,” French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said.

On December 22, 2011, French National Assembly passed a bill criminalizing public denial of the Armenian Genocide. If passed and signed into law by the Senate, the bill would impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey has withdrawn its ambassador to Paris, but officials say he may return shortly in order to lobby against the bill and has threatened sanctions.