France’s Genocide Criminalization Bill Sent to Justice Commission

PARIS, France (Asbarez)—France’s National Assembly on Dec. 3 voted to send a bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide—introduced by National Assembly member Valérie Boyer—back to the Justice Commission, which had discussed the measure on Nov. 25.

The majority of the parliament members who spoke during the session said they supported the measure. Twenty-six parliamentarians voted in favor, and 12 against.

“It is time for France to take the responsibility which it has in the protection of democracy. I hope that parliament members will be united during the vote on the draft,” Boyer said in her opening remarks.

A bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide was adopted by the French Parliament’s Lower House on Dec. 22, 2011 and its Upper House—the Senate—on Jan. 23, 2012. However, it was declared unconstitutional by France’s highest judicial body, the Constitutional Council, on Feb. 29, 2012.