ArmInfo. By adopting bill on criminalizing denial of Armenian Genocide France has once again proved its adherence to democratic values, fight against xenophobia and crimes against humanity, Deputy Speaker of Armenian parliament Eduard Sharmazanov stated in a talk to ArmInfo's correspondent.
This resolution has once again proved that crimes against humanity do not have period of limitation, moreover victorious march to fight policy of denial and criminalizing it has kicked off in Europe. "France's example should become inspiring for other countries of Europe. This decision has once again demonstrated that Ankara's policy of denial and blackmailing is failing", the Deputy Speaker stressed.
Answering to the question whether the scenario of 2012 can reoccur, when the French parliament had adopted a similar resolution but the Constitutional Court of the country considered the document contradicting to the Constitutional law, Sharmazanov noted: "I do not think that France will step in the same river twice".
The French Senate has voted 156 to 146 to pass a bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in early 20th century. The text is consistent with that adopted by the National Assembly earlier in July. However, it is not ruled out that like last time, under pressure of the Turkish lobby, the document will not be submitted to the Constitutional Court of France for consideration. Earlier, in 2012 Senators in the upper house voted 127 to 86 in favor of the draft law outlawing genocide denial. The lower house had backed it in December, prompting Ankara to cancel all economic, political and military meetings with Paris and recall its ambassador for consultations. President Nicolas Sarkozy did not sign it. On Feb 29, 2012, the bill was recognized unconstitutional. Switzerland, Slovakia, Cyprus, and Greece have already criminalized denial of the Armenian Genocide.