Russian political scientist: decision of France Senate on Armenian Genocide is a historical fact

YEREVAN, January 25. /ARKA/. Decision of France Senate on criminalization of denial of Armenian Genocide is a historical fact, said Director of Institute of Political and Social Studies of Black Sea-Caspian region Vladimir Zakharov. France Senate adopted the draft law on criminal punishment of genocides, including Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire.

The document envisaging punishment in prison and a fine of 45 thousand euros for the denial of genocide was adopted by the lower house of French Parliament – National Assembly on December 22. The adopted draft law should be signed by the President of France.

“France, which is one of the largest European states, officially recognized the fact of the nightmare that took place in 1915 in Turkey, and it is impossible to forget it”, said Zakharov on Wednesday during the video-bridge Yerevan-Moscow “Ban on the denial of Armenian genocide. Political consequences”.

In this regard he reminded that Director of the Museum of Holocaust in Israel, Israel Charny officially announced that Armenian genocide in 1915 was the repetition of future Holocaust. 

“The situation has gone beyond a single state –Armenia or Turkey and became a worldwide problem. And the fact that other countries will follow it, we have no doubt. Time is necessary that the parliaments of other countries recognize the fact of Armenian genocide in 1915, and I am confident that it will take place”, he said.

Director of Museum-Institute of Armenian Genocide Hayk Demoyan said that many opponents who argue about the appropriateness of this draft law do not delve into the essence of its content. 

“Where racism begins, there ends freedom of speech and expression, this is what the French draft law says”, he said.

Demoyan noted that the memory of genocide victims or those who experienced it and their generations are citizens of France who should be protected from attacks. 

“Moreover, opponent of the draft law is an entire state machinery of denial which is sponsored by Turkey”, he said.

Armenian Genocide of 1915 was the first genocide of 20th century. Turkey traditionally refuses the genocide of Armenians during the First World War and painfully reacts on the critic from the West. Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Parliament of Italy and majority of United States. 

On March 4 the Committee on international issues of US Congress adopted resolution №252 about recognition of Armenian genocide which calls the President of United States to make efforts for the adoption of worthy decision about the issues related to human rights and Armenian genocide. On March 11 the fact of Armenian Genocide was recognized also by the Parliament of Sweden. -0-