Nobody is aware of punishment envisaged for Armenian Genocide denial in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - A PanARMENIAN.Net reporter found out that Armenia’s state institutions have no idea of the fact that there is an article in the RA Criminal Code for the Genocide denial or derogation.

For example, answering a relevant question of the PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, the RA National Security Service and National Security Council said they are unaware of the fact whether there is a law on Genocide denial, advising to apply to the Armenian Genocide Institute or Ministry of Justice.

The Ministry reported that the Armenian legislation does not envisage a punishment for the Armenian Genocide denial, adding that cases of the Genocide denial have not been recorded in the country. The Armenian parliament said that there is no law on the Genocide denial.

Deputy Director of the Armenian Genocide Institute Suren Manukyan said that the fact that nobody is aware of the law on the Genocide denial is not bad, as it suggests that there was no need in it, i.e. nobody has denied the Armenian Genocide in the country.

Meanwhile, article 8 of the Law on Introduction of Changes and Amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia dated 05.12.2006 reads: “to amend the Code by article 397-1 of the following content: Article 397-1. Denial, derogation of Genocide and other crimes against peace and human security, their approval or justification.

Denial, derogation, approval or justification of genocide or other crimes against peace and human security, which are envisaged under other articles of this chapter, through dissemination among the public of materials via a computer system or any other available form, if they are perpetrated based on ethnicity, skin color, national or ethnic background or religious affiliation for the purpose of rousing hatred towards a person or group of persons, their discrimination or violence, are punished by a fine at the amount of 100-fold up to 300-fold minimum salary or imprisonment of up to four years.”