Discussions on the `Chauvinism and hatred towards foreigners" in the
European Parliament
ArmRadio.am
19.03.2007 16:01
Today the European Parliament is set to hold discussions on the bill
on ` Chauvinism and hatred towards foreigners.’ If it is adopted in an
amended version, it will become a serious lever for criminalizing the
negation of the Armenian Genocide in European countries, Head of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political
Affairs Office Kiro Manoyan told ` Radiolur.’
In his words, the amendment, the European Armenian Federation pursues,
refers to the formulation, which clarifies to which genocides the
question applies to. In the current shape it is the negation of the
recognized genocides that is considered punishable.
The expected amendment speaks about the denial of genocides recognized
not only by international structures, but also the EU member
states. It’s worth mentioning that in case of adoption of the last
formulation the Armenian Genocide denial will be criminally punishable
in any EU country. If we take into consideration the aspirations of
Turkey to join the European Union, our neighbor will not be able to
lie on the state level any more.
The European Armenian Federation has worked with groups and factions
of the European Parliament for adoption of the amendment. Armenian
National Committees in different countries have been working with
European MPs to have the latter vote for the change of the document.
After being approved in the Right of Freedom and Security Committee,
the bill will be put on the agenda of the plenary session of the
European Union. Most probably, the voting will be held at the end of
April.