news.am, Armenia
May 5 2011
Armenian ruling MP expresses regret over French Senate decision
May 05, 2011 | 00:49
YEREVAN. Secretary of Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Eduard
Sharmazanov expressed regret over the decision by the French Senate to
reject the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide under Ottoman
Empire in 1915.
`As a citizen and RPA member I regret that the French Senate rejected
the bill. However, the day will come when all countries, not only the
European Union, but the former CIS states, the world will adopt
similar bills, following Switzerland’s lead,’ Sharmazanov told
Armenian News-NEWS.am.
`The EU should serve an example on the issue, as European values
strongly condemn such crimes against humanity. We will step up efforts
to achieve success,’ he noted.
French Senate rejected the bill penalizing denial of the Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman Empire with 196 votes `against’ and 74 `for’.
On October 12, 2006, the French National Assembly approved a bill
penalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide. The bill needed the
Senate’s consideration to be enforced.
Denial of the Armenian Genocide is considered a crime in Switzerland.
Presently the issue is on the agenda of several EU states.
From: A. Papazian