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FRENCH MPS PASS BILL BANNING ARMENIAN 'GENOCIDE' DENIAL
22 December 2011 Last updated at 12:38
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16297414
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* Q&A: Armenian genocide dispute
* France genocide law angers Turkey
* Armenia 'ready for Turkish ties'
MPs in France have passed a bill making it illegal to deny that the
killing of Armenians in WWI was genocide, in the teeth of Turkish
objections.
The vote, by show of hands, saw the bill backed by a large majority
of the 50 or so MPs present in the National Assembly, AFP news
agency reports.
The bill is expected to go before the Senate early next year.
Turkey rejects the term "genocide" and has warned France of "serious
repercussions" if the bill becomes law.
Under the bill, those publicly denying the genocide would face a year
in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros (£29:000: $58,000).
Armenians say up to 1.5m people were killed by the Ottoman Turks
in 1915.
Ankara says closer to 300,000 people died, and that Turks were also
killed when Armenians rose up against the Ottoman Empire when Russian
troops invaded eastern Anatolia, now eastern Turkey.
More than 20 countries, including France, have formally recognised
the killings as genocide.
22 December 2011 Last updated at 12:38
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16297414
Breaking news
Continue reading the main story
RELATED STORIES
* Q&A: Armenian genocide dispute
* France genocide law angers Turkey
* Armenia 'ready for Turkish ties'
MPs in France have passed a bill making it illegal to deny that the
killing of Armenians in WWI was genocide, in the teeth of Turkish
objections.
The vote, by show of hands, saw the bill backed by a large majority
of the 50 or so MPs present in the National Assembly, AFP news
agency reports.
The bill is expected to go before the Senate early next year.
Turkey rejects the term "genocide" and has warned France of "serious
repercussions" if the bill becomes law.
Under the bill, those publicly denying the genocide would face a year
in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros (£29:000: $58,000).
Armenians say up to 1.5m people were killed by the Ottoman Turks
in 1915.
Ankara says closer to 300,000 people died, and that Turks were also
killed when Armenians rose up against the Ottoman Empire when Russian
troops invaded eastern Anatolia, now eastern Turkey.
More than 20 countries, including France, have formally recognised
the killings as genocide.