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ANKARA: Turkey says France's Armenian Genocide law against democracy

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  • ANKARA: Turkey says France's Armenian Genocide law against democracy

    Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
    12 Oct 06


    TURKEY SAYS FRANCE'S ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LAW AGAINST DEMOCRACY



    Ankara, 12 October: "The reliability of the states depends on their
    standing by the values they advocate," the Turkish Ministry of
    Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Thursday [12 October] after French
    national assembly adopted a bill on criminalizing denial of so-called
    Armenian genocide.

    Releasing a statement, the MFA said: "Although enactment of the bill
    depends on a long process including approvals of the Senate and the
    President, it has caused a profound disappointment in Turkey. We will
    maintain our initiatives in all levels within this process."

    "Recent strong criticisms against the bill have already unveiled that
    even France was not fully satisfied with it and that such an
    unfortunate initiative did not receive support of all public opinion.
    However, it does not diminish the seriousness of the event," MFA
    said.

    "This bill means a violation of French constitutional order regarding
    freedom of expression as superior over all other constitutional
    rights, and the relevant European Convention. It also contradicts the
    spirit of France which inspired the whole world by defending the
    concepts of freedom, equality and brotherhood," it said.

    The MFA noted: "When it comes to dealing with France's own history,
    French parliamentarians advocate that it is the responsibility of
    historians. However, they consider themselves the authority that
    makes a decision on the history of another country. This is nothing
    but a contradiction. This bill has also revealed the double-standard
    attitude of France in a period when Turkey has been encouraged to
    take additional steps on freedom of expression despite all recent
    reforms aiming at further improving fundamental rights and freedoms."

    "This bill contradicts democratic regime since it prevents freedom of
    thought and expression. It has caused a profound sorrow among Turkish
    people including our Armenian citizens. 70m Turkish nation rejects
    such a restriction on freedom of thought and expression on basis of
    totally baseless allegations. Unfortunately, by adopting the bill,
    France has lost its privileged position within Turkish nation's point
    of view," the Ministry added.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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