Commission of French Senate rejects draft law on criminalizing denial of Armenian genocide

The Constitutional Commission of the French Senate opposed the draft law criminalizing denial of Armenian genocide.

The "Caucasian Knot" reported that on December 22, 2011, the Lower House of French Parliament adopted the draft law criminalizing denial of Armenian genocide (a fine of up to 45,000 euros and up to one year of imprisonment). On January 6, French President Nicolas Sarkozy endorsed the decision of the Lower House of the Parliament to criminalize denial of Armenian genocide and directed the document to the Senate for approval.

Proposal to reject the draft law was adopted by 23 votes "pro" and 9 "contra", 8 voters "abstained", the "PanARMENIAN.Net" reports with reference to the official website of the French Senate.

The Commission has voted in favour of the proposal of unacceptability of the text, the RIA "Novosti" reports with reference to the agency "Agence France-Presse".

According to that decision, the draft law will be considered by the Senate; however, prior to the total voting, the decision of the Commission will be taken into account. The draft law will go for approval to the Upper House of the Parliament on January 23.