Armenian genocide denial to be banned in France as senators approve new law
French senators have approved legislation making it a crime to deny that the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks nearly a century ago constitutes genocide.
The law, which has already been passed by members of the Assemblée Nationale, the lower house, has sparked a major diplomatic row between France and Turkey, which has threatened "permanent consequences".
Immediately after the Sénat vote on Monday night, Turkish justice minister Sadullah Ergin described it as a "total lack of respect" and a "great injustice" towards his country. Ankara had already threatened retaliation if the bill was passed.
After French MPs approved the bill in December, Turkey recalled its ambassador, cancelled all economic and political meetings, and halted military cooperation with France.
Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, had earlier warned of further measures: "If every EU (European Union) parliament implements decisions reflecting its own view of history a new inquisition period will begin in Europe."
Supporters of the bill claim 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered in Turkey under the Ottoman authorities during the first world war in a deliberate policy that constitutes genocide. Many historians agree, but Turkey disputes the term "genocide" and claims many Turks died during fighting in eastern Turkey in 1915 and 1916.
The vote came after an entire afternoon and evening of debate in the Sénat. Defending the bill, government minister Patrick Ollier told senators that legislation was justified in the "fight against the negationist poison". He added: "This proposed legislation is part of a general movement to repress racist and xenophobic statements."
However, last week a Senate committee warned the law would be unconstitutional because it violates the right to freedom of speech.
President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to ratify the bill before the presidential elections in April. Turkey has accused Sarkozy of pandering to the estimated 500,000 ethnic Armenians in France to win votes in the presidential vote in April and May, in which he is expected to see re-election.
French officials urged Turkey not to overreact. Bernard Valery, a spokesman for the French foreign ministry said Paris considered Ankara a "very important ally".
Those denying or "minimising" the genocide could face a €45,000 fine and a year in jail. France recognized the killing of the Armenians as 'genocide" in 2001, but at the time introduced no legal penalty for denying it.
Go to: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/23/armenian-genocide-denial-ban-france
Dutch Parliament Recognizes Assyrian, Greek and Armenian GenocideThe Hague (AINA) -- The Dutch Parliament passed a binding resolution yesterday recognizing the genocide of Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War One. The resolution, tabled by MP Joel Voordewind from the Christian Union party, enjoyed wide support from the various parties, including Christian Union, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, Christian Democratic Appeal, Reformed Political Party and Labor Party. The resolution was strongly opposed by two Turkish members of the Parliament but passed by a strong majority vote.
"The aim of this motion is to recognize the Armenian as well as the Assyrian genocide," said Joel Voordewind, "and to bring the Turkish government closer to Armenia. This is an important signal from the Dutch Parliament to the Turkish government to acknowledge its past actions. I hope in the end this will bring both countries to a better understanding and reconciliation with each other." Armenia recognized the Assyrian Genocide on March 24 (AINA2015-03-24. In 2007 the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) recognized the Assyrian and Greek genocides (AINA 2007-12-15). In 2010 Sweden recognized the Assyrian, Greek and Armenian Genocide (AINA 2010-03-12). The genocide of Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians was committed by Ottoman Turks during World War One, between 1915 and 1923. The genocide claimed the lives of 750,000 Assyrians (75%), 500,000 Greeks and 1.5 million Armenians. While the Armenian genocide is widely known and recognized, the Assyrian and Greek genocides are lesser known. But these genocides cannot be separated from the Armenian genocide, as they were perpetrated at the same time and by the same policy. The genocide of the Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians is one and the same. It was a genocide against Christians. Assyrians have worked with Greeks and Armenians to pressure Turkey to recognize the genocide of World War One. To date, Assyrians have erected genocide monuments in 9 cities around the world (story). Here is the text of the resolution in Dutch: 34 000-V Vaststelling van de begrotingsstaten van het Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (V) voor het jaar 2015 Nr. Gewijzigde Motie Van Het Lid Voordewind C.S. Ter vervanging van die gedrukt onder nr. 59 Voorgesteld De Kamer, gehoord de beraadslaging, constaterende dat de motie Rouvoet c.s. (21 501-20, nr. 270) aangaande het bespreekbaar maken van de erkenning van de Armeense genocide in de dialoog met Turkije (Voor de volledigheid gaat het hier ook over de Assyriers, de Pontische Grieken en Arameeers die ook het slachtoffer zijn geworden van deze genocide) in 2004 Kamerbreed is aangenomen; van mening, dat het van groot belang is dat Turkije en Armenie tot een gezamenlijk vergelijk over hun geschiedenis komen; van mening, dat acceptatie van wederzijds inzicht ten aanzien van de gebeurtenissen van 1915 noodzakelijk is om in de betrekkingen tussen beide landen een stap vooruit te zetten; spreekt de wens uit, dat aankomende herdenkingsbijeenkomsten van 100 jaar Armeense genocide, in Nederland en elders, bijdragen aan respect en acceptatie tussen betrokken gemeenschappen; verzoekt de regering, in het verlengde van de aangenomen motie-Rouvoet c.s., bilateraal en in EU-verband, de Turkse regering op te blijven roepen de toenadering tot Armenie een nieuwe impuls te geven en met de Armeense regering te streven naar verzoening; en gaat over tot de orde van de dag. Voordewind Omtzigt Ten Broeke Servaes Sjoerdsma Van Bommel Van Ojik Van der Staaij Bontes Thieme Klein
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