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APA, Azerbaijan
Dec 23 2011
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja MijatoviÄ?:
`The law adopted by French Parliament is contrary to international
standards of freedom of speech and expression'
[ 23 Dec 2011 11:03 ]
Baku. Victoria Dementieva ` APA. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of
the Media, Dunja MijatoviÄ?, expressed concern over the approval by the
lower chamber of France's Parliament of a draft bill that aims at
criminalizing public statements denying made-up `Armenian genocide',
APA reports.
MijatoviÄ? said that the final adoption of these legal amendments would
raise serious concerns with regard to international standards of
freedom of expression.
`Furthermore, it could set a precedent internationally for politically
construed, ad-hoc criminalization of public debates. Criminalization
of debates on history's true course, even of obviously false and
offensive statements about a nation's tragic moment, is not conducive
to a better understanding among people, communities and authorities of
OSCE participating States.'
MijatoviÄ? also said she feared the passing of this law by a nation
with a great history of press freedom might prompt other countries in
the OSCE region to follow France's example and similarly criminalize
historical statements in violation of their OSCE commitments which aim
at encouraging free discussion on issues of public interest.
The bill was voted today by the National Assembly. If approved by the
Senate -- the upper house of Parliament -- it would make those who
deny or `outrageously minimize' genocides recognized as such by French
legislation liable to a one-year jail term, or a 45,000 euro fine, or
both.
Dec 23 2011
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja MijatoviÄ?:
`The law adopted by French Parliament is contrary to international
standards of freedom of speech and expression'
[ 23 Dec 2011 11:03 ]
Baku. Victoria Dementieva ` APA. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of
the Media, Dunja MijatoviÄ?, expressed concern over the approval by the
lower chamber of France's Parliament of a draft bill that aims at
criminalizing public statements denying made-up `Armenian genocide',
APA reports.
MijatoviÄ? said that the final adoption of these legal amendments would
raise serious concerns with regard to international standards of
freedom of expression.
`Furthermore, it could set a precedent internationally for politically
construed, ad-hoc criminalization of public debates. Criminalization
of debates on history's true course, even of obviously false and
offensive statements about a nation's tragic moment, is not conducive
to a better understanding among people, communities and authorities of
OSCE participating States.'
MijatoviÄ? also said she feared the passing of this law by a nation
with a great history of press freedom might prompt other countries in
the OSCE region to follow France's example and similarly criminalize
historical statements in violation of their OSCE commitments which aim
at encouraging free discussion on issues of public interest.
The bill was voted today by the National Assembly. If approved by the
Senate -- the upper house of Parliament -- it would make those who
deny or `outrageously minimize' genocides recognized as such by French
legislation liable to a one-year jail term, or a 45,000 euro fine, or
both.