ARF SUBMITS BILL ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO PARLIAMENT

news.am
April 26 2010
Armenia

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) (ARF(D)) has
submitted a bill on the Armenian Genocide to the RA Parliament. The
document not only provides for criminal responsibility for denying
the Armenian Genocide but also raises the issue of reparations.

The bill also provides for regulation of the international recognition
of the Armenian Genocide and formation of a special commission.

Representatives of the key parliamentary forces mostly welcomed the
bill. Larisa Alaversyan of the opposition Heritage Party told NEWS.am
that the adoption of the bill will create legal underpinnings for
further application to the Court of International Arbitration for
consideration of the issue and specify it inside Armenia. "At present,
we deal with the issue of Armenian Genocide from the scientific and
historical aspects rather than from the legal one," Alaverdyan said.

She pointed out that the Armenian nation must have such a law for
similar crimes to be prevented in the future.

Secretary of the Prosperous Armenia parliamentary faction Aram
Safaryan pointed out the need for such a law in Armenia. However,
it does not have to provide for criminal punishment for denying the
Armenian Genocide it would be a paradox to deny the fact in Armenia.

"I think that it is other countries’ Parliaments that have to adopt
laws providing criminal responsibility for denying the Armenian
Genocide," he said.

Hovhannes Margaryan of the Country of Law faction said that the
Armenian Genocide is a historical fact. "A relevant law has to be
adopted in Armenia – it is a fact. It is important to find the right
time for it," he said.

In 1988 the Supreme Council of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic
adopted a resolution declaring April 24 Day in cooperation of the
Armenian Genocide victims.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress