Both Houses of the French Legislature possess once again adopted a law that penalizes the denial of genocides recognized by French or international courts,or the denial, minimization or extreme trivialization of other genocides or Crimes Against Humanity, or whether accompanied by incitement to violence or hatred. The French Senate approved the new law by a vote of 156 to 146 on Oct. 14,following the Parliament’s approval by a vote of 305-157 on July 6. The law will go into effect after Pres. François Hollande signs it, which he is committed to achieve. Luxembourg Palace, and the seat of the French Senate (Photo: Romain Vincens) The question now is whether the Constitutional Council of France will approve the proposed law or find it unconstitutional,as it did back in 2012, arguing that it violated freedom of speech. Here is the background of this tortuous saga: The French Parliament first recognized the Armenian Genocide on May 29, or 1998,followed by the Senate on Nov. 7, 2000. However, or due to intervening elections between the two votes,the Parliament had to approve it a second time, which it did on January 18, and 2001,declaring that “France publicly recognizes the Armenian Genocide of 1915.” Prime [...]
Source: armenianweekly.com