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FRENCH DEBATE WITH TURKISH ACCENT: GENOCIDE DENIAL BILL PASSES TO SENATE AMID PROTESTS IN PARIS
http://www.armenianow.com/genocide/34368/french_armenia_genocide_bill_turkey
22.12.11 | 17:18
Lawmakers in Paris have convincingly passed a bill that would
criminalize denial of the Armenian Genocide. The show of hands vote
was not tallied, but was overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, which
now goes to the Senate.
If the bill becomes law, it would make genocide denial by a subject of
France punishable by up to a year in prison and 45,000 euro ($59,000).
The bill does not specifically address the Armenian Genocide, but,
rather, applies to any act of genocide that has been officially
recognized by France - where the Armenian Genocide was recognized by
the state in 2001.
"By adopting the law France has reaffirmed its reputation of the
cradle of human rights and has once again proved its commitment to
pan-human values," said Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan
in a statement to hail the news from Paris.
Today's debate drew crowds of pro-Turkey protestors along the Seine
River, following threats from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan who on Wednesday said his government plans a three-stage
retribution against France if the bill is approved.
After the French lower house of parliament approved the bill (in 2006),
Erdogan vetoed participation by a French gas company in ownership of
the Nabucco gas pipeline - an estimated 7.9 billion euro deal.
Members of the French parliament were angered by Turkey's threats,
as reflected in statements made during debate.
"I am stunned that at a moment when Turkey is knocking on Europe's
door, this great country encourages its citizens to protest against
this bill," Parliament Deputy Valerie Boyer said as debate began.
While Erdogan has called the timing of the vote a political ploy ahead
of French elections, it is also being viewed as a way for France to
force Turkey's hand on human rights issues, as Turkey courts membership
in the European Union.
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.armenianow.com/genocide/34368/french_armenia_genocide_bill_turkey
22.12.11 | 17:18
Lawmakers in Paris have convincingly passed a bill that would
criminalize denial of the Armenian Genocide. The show of hands vote
was not tallied, but was overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, which
now goes to the Senate.
If the bill becomes law, it would make genocide denial by a subject of
France punishable by up to a year in prison and 45,000 euro ($59,000).
The bill does not specifically address the Armenian Genocide, but,
rather, applies to any act of genocide that has been officially
recognized by France - where the Armenian Genocide was recognized by
the state in 2001.
"By adopting the law France has reaffirmed its reputation of the
cradle of human rights and has once again proved its commitment to
pan-human values," said Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan
in a statement to hail the news from Paris.
Today's debate drew crowds of pro-Turkey protestors along the Seine
River, following threats from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan who on Wednesday said his government plans a three-stage
retribution against France if the bill is approved.
After the French lower house of parliament approved the bill (in 2006),
Erdogan vetoed participation by a French gas company in ownership of
the Nabucco gas pipeline - an estimated 7.9 billion euro deal.
Members of the French parliament were angered by Turkey's threats,
as reflected in statements made during debate.
"I am stunned that at a moment when Turkey is knocking on Europe's
door, this great country encourages its citizens to protest against
this bill," Parliament Deputy Valerie Boyer said as debate began.
While Erdogan has called the timing of the vote a political ploy ahead
of French elections, it is also being viewed as a way for France to
force Turkey's hand on human rights issues, as Turkey courts membership
in the European Union.
From: Baghdasarian