Armenian Genocide Law Passed in France

The French Parliament on thursday adopted a controversial law introducing imprisonment and monetary fines to anyone denying the genocide of Armenians by Ottomon Turks in the early 20th century.

The law was passed at the French National Assembly by a vote of 106 in favor against 19, with the Socialist Party, the ruling Peoples Movement Party (UMP) and opposition UDF backing the bill.

Although it still needs to be examined by the Senate before being enforced, the law foresees prison terms of up to 1 year and fines of up to 45,000 Euro for the denial of the Armenian genocide.

During his visit to Armenia ten days ago, French President Jacques Chirac had mentioned the need for Turkey to recognize the genocide reflecting it as a precondition for the country's bid to join the European Union.

While as a block the governing UMP had opposed the draft in the past days, its lawmakers were let free to vote in Thursday's session according to their own views.

Issuing a statement after the Parliament adopted the bill, Minister Catherine Colonna in charge of European affairs said "The government had disclosed its opinion on the draft on May 18. Its stance has not changed and is not in favor of the draft being approved".

In 2001 France passed a law that classified the Armenia killings in Ottomon Turkey as genocide but the proposed legislation, which will now go to government to be passed to senate which will examine it at an unknown time, will criminalize the denial of a genocide making it an offence similar to denying the Holocaust.

The bill which is seen as a significant blow to the freedom of expression in Europe and resembled to Turkish laws that effectively ban the recognition of an Armenian genocide, is expected to lead to further tension between France and Turkey. (EO/KO/II/YE/EU)