DENIAL LAW

The bill criminalizing the denial of crimes against humanity like the Armenian Genocide is passed by the French Parliament on October 14, by a vote of 156 for and 146 against. The bill will carry a penalty of imprisonment for one year or a fine of 45,000 euros for the denial or trivialization of crimes such as genocide, slave trade and war crimes.

French Parliament sent the bill that considers the denial of genocide as an offense to the committee for re-discussion.

Union of Armenians in Russia declared that they support the bill on the denial of Armenian Genocide that is brought in the Russian parliament and made a call to Duma.

The ‘Genocide Case’ hearing was held at the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights on January 28. A high number of politicians and civilian society leaders from Turkey, Armenia and the Diaspora were present in the courtroom. The case has also attracted interest from the international press since Amal Clooney represents Armenia. It could take up to a year for the reasoned decision in the case to be issued.

Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical magazine that was the target of the armed attack on January 7, had recently also focused on issues related to Turkey. Particularly the Armenian Genocide and the Kurdish Question featured in the pages of the magazine in various contexts.