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TURKEY CONDEMNS ADOPTION OF ARMENIAN BILL AT FRENCH SENATE
Anadolu Agency (AA)
Jan 24 2012
Turkey
Turkey condemned French Senate's adopting a bill which criminalizes
the denial of Armenian allegations about 1915 incidents during
Ottoman period.
Releasing a written statement late on Monday, Turkish Foreign Ministry
said, "we strongly condemn this decision, which is problematic in every
aspect and constitutes an example of irresponsibility, and declare
that we will express our reaction against it in every platform."
The ministry stated, "the law proposal presented by deputies of the
governing Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), aiming to penalize in
France any challenge to genocide allegations regarding the events of
1915 was adopted by a vote in the General Assembly of the Senate on
January 23. We strongly condemn this decision, which is problematic
in every aspect and constitutes an example of irresponsibility,
and declare that we will express our reaction against it in every
platform."
"A similar law proposal was rejected earlier by the General Assembly
of the Senate on May 4, 2011 by 196 votes against 74, in line with the
opinion of the Commission of Laws of the Senate which had concluded
that the proposed law was in breach of the Constitution. Although the
Commission of Laws of the Senate once again concluded that the latest
proposal was in breach of the Constitution, the Senate adopted it.
Since there has not been a change in the substance of the matter in
the meantime, this development is a blatant indication of how such
a sensitive issue can be exploited for domestic political purposes
in France. This has been an entirely unfortunate step for French
politics. Politicization of the understanding of justice and history
through other people's past and damaging freedom of expression in
a tactless manner are first and foremost a loss for France," said
the ministry.
It noted, "it is obvious that the interpretation of historical events
cannot be determined by the attitude of French politicians who see in
themselves the right to judge other nations on the basis of one-sided
views and declare a judgment on a serious allegation of crime such as
genocide, thereby ignoring the principles of international law. In
fact, no Parliament has such a right nor such a competence. The
decision in question goes further and delivers a blow against the
freedom of expression and scholarly research. At a period when we need
positive examples for the dissemination of universal values throughout
the world, it is disconcerting to see narrow political calculations
producing such a result even in a country which plays a role in the
advancement of such values and which takes pride in rule of law."
"It is further unfortunate that the historical and multi-dimensional
relations between the Republic of Turkey and France have been
sacrificed to considerations of political agenda in spite of all our
initiatives and warnings, as well as the opinions of prominent French
institutions and jurists. It is quite clear where the responsibility
for this lies," said the ministry.
"The circles which consider that Turkey has overreacted on this
matter or think that its reaction will only remain in words neither
comprehend the essence of the matter, nor understand Turkey and the
Turkish people. We find it useful to remind all parties that, in case
of the completion of the finalization process for the law, we will
not hesitate to implement, as we deem appropriate, the measures that
we have considered in advance. Similarly, it must be also known that
we will continue to strongly use our right to defend ourselves on a
legitimate basis against unfair allegations. No one should doubt our
Government's principled approach in this issue," the ministry noted.
It said, "on the other hand, we share the calls for common sense
of those who, during this process, have admitted the error being
committed in French politics, appealed to return from this error and
opposed to damaging relations with Turkey in such a tactless manner."
The ministry said, "it is clear that all avenues need to be explored
for the finalization of the present process in a way which will avoid
this being recorded as part of France's political, legal and moral
mistakes. Turkey is determined to take every step required against
this unjust action, which disregards basic human values and public
conscience."
From: A. Papazian
Anadolu Agency (AA)
Jan 24 2012
Turkey
Turkey condemned French Senate's adopting a bill which criminalizes
the denial of Armenian allegations about 1915 incidents during
Ottoman period.
Releasing a written statement late on Monday, Turkish Foreign Ministry
said, "we strongly condemn this decision, which is problematic in every
aspect and constitutes an example of irresponsibility, and declare
that we will express our reaction against it in every platform."
The ministry stated, "the law proposal presented by deputies of the
governing Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), aiming to penalize in
France any challenge to genocide allegations regarding the events of
1915 was adopted by a vote in the General Assembly of the Senate on
January 23. We strongly condemn this decision, which is problematic
in every aspect and constitutes an example of irresponsibility,
and declare that we will express our reaction against it in every
platform."
"A similar law proposal was rejected earlier by the General Assembly
of the Senate on May 4, 2011 by 196 votes against 74, in line with the
opinion of the Commission of Laws of the Senate which had concluded
that the proposed law was in breach of the Constitution. Although the
Commission of Laws of the Senate once again concluded that the latest
proposal was in breach of the Constitution, the Senate adopted it.
Since there has not been a change in the substance of the matter in
the meantime, this development is a blatant indication of how such
a sensitive issue can be exploited for domestic political purposes
in France. This has been an entirely unfortunate step for French
politics. Politicization of the understanding of justice and history
through other people's past and damaging freedom of expression in
a tactless manner are first and foremost a loss for France," said
the ministry.
It noted, "it is obvious that the interpretation of historical events
cannot be determined by the attitude of French politicians who see in
themselves the right to judge other nations on the basis of one-sided
views and declare a judgment on a serious allegation of crime such as
genocide, thereby ignoring the principles of international law. In
fact, no Parliament has such a right nor such a competence. The
decision in question goes further and delivers a blow against the
freedom of expression and scholarly research. At a period when we need
positive examples for the dissemination of universal values throughout
the world, it is disconcerting to see narrow political calculations
producing such a result even in a country which plays a role in the
advancement of such values and which takes pride in rule of law."
"It is further unfortunate that the historical and multi-dimensional
relations between the Republic of Turkey and France have been
sacrificed to considerations of political agenda in spite of all our
initiatives and warnings, as well as the opinions of prominent French
institutions and jurists. It is quite clear where the responsibility
for this lies," said the ministry.
"The circles which consider that Turkey has overreacted on this
matter or think that its reaction will only remain in words neither
comprehend the essence of the matter, nor understand Turkey and the
Turkish people. We find it useful to remind all parties that, in case
of the completion of the finalization process for the law, we will
not hesitate to implement, as we deem appropriate, the measures that
we have considered in advance. Similarly, it must be also known that
we will continue to strongly use our right to defend ourselves on a
legitimate basis against unfair allegations. No one should doubt our
Government's principled approach in this issue," the ministry noted.
It said, "on the other hand, we share the calls for common sense
of those who, during this process, have admitted the error being
committed in French politics, appealed to return from this error and
opposed to damaging relations with Turkey in such a tactless manner."
The ministry said, "it is clear that all avenues need to be explored
for the finalization of the present process in a way which will avoid
this being recorded as part of France's political, legal and moral
mistakes. Turkey is determined to take every step required against
this unjust action, which disregards basic human values and public
conscience."
From: A. Papazian