On Tuesday morning, Greek Justice Minister Charalambos Athanasiou tabled the anti-racism bill in Parliament and announced the included amendments.
The amendments concern genocide and sexual discrimination issues. According to the bill, apart from Holocaust deniers, there will also be sanctions for the deniers of the genocides against Armenians, Pontians and Christians of Asia Minor, which have been recognised by the Greek Parliament.
Those who urge or incite actions that may lead to discrimination, hatred or violence against a person or group, based on their sexual orientation, will face imprisonment.
Both issues had caused strong reactions between New Democracy party members who had sent a letter to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. SYRIZA MPs expressed their satisfaction with these amendments.
On Monday, Democratic Left (DIMAR) submitted its proposal to include four amendments in the anti-racism bill. These amendments concern civil partnerships, acquisition of Greek nationality, exploitation of seized bank accounts and abolishing the in flagrante procedures for debts towards the state.
The Church of Greece had also expressed its support to the bill, while it had requested that the genocides against the Greek Pontians and the Christians of Minor Asia also be included.
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