Wednesday, September 10 2014

Armenia welcomes the bill on criminalizing of the recognized genocides
denial adopted by the Greek parliament, Armenia's Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian made such a statement, press-service of the Ministry reported, 

 

<By this step Greece has again proved its adherence
to human values and made an important step towards prevention of genocides and
crimes against the mankind in future", -the statement says.

 

To recall, parliament of Greece adopted a bill that
criminalizes the denial of the Armenian Genocide and other crimes against
humanity on 9 September.

 

Greece becomes the third European country after
Switzerland and Slovakia to adopt such a measure.

 

The bill known as "Fight against Xenophobia"
envisions bringing criminal charges for denial of the genocides of not only
Jews, but also Armenians and Pontus Greeks. The bill stipulates heavy fines and
imprisonment terms for individuals who publicly deny genocides and other crimes
against humanity that are recognized by the Greek Parliament and international
courts.

 

The vote passed by 54 to 42 with three abstentions.

 

Earlier, President of Turkey
Recep Erdogan said during his meeting with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras
on sidelines of the NATO Summit in Wales such resolution may affect the
Greek-Turkish relations. In response, the Greek prime minister said
criminalizing the denial of genocides does not run contrary to the
International Law