French-Armenians Criticize Decision on Denial Adopted by Upper House’s Committee

PARIS (Armenpress) — The Coordination Council of Armenian organizations of France expressed concern over the changes made in Article 38 of the Equality and Citizenship Law which has been adopted by the Special Committee of the Upper House (Senate) of the French Parliament.

Article 38 is directed towards the condemnation of denial of crimes against humanity and genocides, Nouvelles d’Armenie reported.

According to the changes adopted by the Committee, the necessity of legislation to be adopted against the denial is questioned.

This step also created dissatisfaction among a number of French legislators since the provisions of Article 38 were adopted unanimously by the French Parliament.

The Coordination Council of Armenian organizations of France recalled that the European Court of Human Rights accepted the possibility of adopting anti-denial legislation over Perinçek v. Switzerland case if that denial provokes hatred and violence.

“More in-depth legal works are necessary for this legislation which must be carried out by the Government that has initiated this legislation. The Senate cannot go to compromise and be subjected to pressures by the Turkish Government that is controlled by nationalists and anti-democratic forces. The Coordination Council of Armenian organizations of France calls on the Senate to restore this legislation in the atmosphere of consensus which existed in the National Assembly”, the statement says.