YEREVAN. – The deputy of the Argentine Parliament Nilda Garre has submitted a bill on the criminalization of genocides’ denial, which also includes a denial of the Armenian Genocide. The deputy told the Armenian News-NEWS.am when the parliament of Argentina will discuss the draft and what are the prospects of its adoption.

You are the author of the bill on criminalization of the denial of genocides and crimes against humanity, including the Armenian Genocide. When will the bill be submitted? And, what are the prospects of its adoption in the parliament?

The bill I authored arose because of the negation position, which, unfortunately, have been manifested by civil servants in regard to the systematic nature of crimes against humanity committed during the last military-civic dictatorship. Thus, it includes not only the crimes against humanity committed during the dictatorship in Argentina but also genocides recognized by Argentina, such as the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide.

In this regard, it is important to recall that in 2006, the Argentine Congress passed the Law 26199 on recognizing the genocide of Armenians. The bill has already come into circulation, and we are waiting for the Committee on Criminal Legislation of the Chamber of Deputies to discuss it.

The countries that have already adopted such bills or are going to adopt are accused of violating the right to freedom of expression. Does your bill take into account these concerns?

When drafting the bill, we got familiarized with the experience of legislative regulations of this issue in other countries. We got convinced, that many people do not question the freedom of speech. It can be observed in such countries as Germany, Austria, or France. We should not overlook the traumas of the rejection that affect the victims of genocide and their relatives. The point here is not to deny the importance of protecting the freedom of expression. Let’s not forget, that we are talking about the most serious crimes that a humanity can ever commit.

Why do countries like Turkey still deny the crime they committed?

I already asked this question. It’s not me who should interpret Turkey’s decisions. In return, I prefer to take an advantage of the experience and traditions of the countries that have criticized their past and recognized it, like Germany. I can also say that I want Argentina to take a full responsibility for its history – for everything good and bad. Countries that do not do this, risk to repeat the worst episodes of their past.