Both as a presidential candidate and as president François Hollande promised and he has kept his promise, Mourad Papazian, co-president of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF), told Tert.am as he commented on the debates on a draft resolution criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide the National Assembly of France held last week.
“We have worked with both specialists of the presidential palace and the Ministries of Justice, and Foreign Affairs, to compile an appropriate text to prevent its reversal by the Constitutional Court. [The earlier measure] was reversed in 2012; more difficulties arose after the Perinçek trial got under way,” he said, adding that both French and Armenian specialists had worked on the text.
Asked whether the Turks in France adhere to denial policies, Mr Papazian replied, “There are attempts, as well as organizations and individuals who work for Turkey. What they say is that no genocide ever happened, describing all that as the Armenian lobby’s impact. So that law is very important for final clarifications. It also aims to enable Turkey to recognize its own history.”
“States such America, Israel and Austria – which do not recognize the Genocide today – behave so only for fear of spoiling diplomatic relations. But that isn’t victory for Turkey. That signals victory through blackmail, but they are never actually a winner,” he added. a
The Armenian community in France has to work hard before September for the draft to be approved by the French Senate as well.
“Turkey will not sit on its hands and has to take measures to prevent the Senate vote. We, on our part, have to continue our work for the draft to pass a vote. That is, we are at political war with Turkey.”
The French government released the text of the draft law criminalizing the denial of genocides and crimes against humanity on June 29. The amendment envisages 1-year imprisonment or a 45,000 euro fine for denying the Armenian Genocide.