PATRICK DEVEDJIAN: TURKEY CAN’T TEACH US LESSONS ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 12 2006
PARIS, OCTOBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. "Turkey should recognize the Armenian
Genocide and its denial should be punished. Recognition of the Genocide
and establishing a punishment for its denial are the result of the same
logic." Deputy Frederick Dutua declared this at the discussion of the
Armenian bill at the French parliament on October 12. He mentioned
that cases of denying of Armenian Genocide have been always left
unpunished and France as a country – leader in the issue of human
rights protection, is going towards the step of considering denial
of the Armenian Genocide as a crime by adopting a law on this.
"History of the countries of the world is part of the global history.
Therefore, one should respect peoples’ history. Not only the Armenian
Genocide, but also all genocides should be recognized by UN,"
Dutua added.
Then Patrick Devedjian, Armenian Deputy of French National Assembly,
member of the People’s Movement Union making a majority at the
parliament, took the floor. He declared that Turkey can’t teach France
lessons on freedom of expression, until it liquidates Article 301 of
the Criminal Code. "Some persons assert that this law to be adopted
by France, allegedly, will impede Turks’ disputes around this issue,
but even Olli Ren (General Commissioner on EU Extension: NT) has
declared lately that freedom of expression has not registered any
progress in Turkey," the Armenian Deputy stressed.
Devedjian reminded that Turkey has denied the fact of the Armenian
Genocide for 90 years: "After 1915 the Genocide was recognized for a
short time and some legal proceedings were held. Turkey denies even
this," the Deputy emphasized.
Patrick Devedjian also touched upon the Turkish point of view that,
allegedly, parliaments "have no right to write history." "The point
is that parallel with denying the Genocide Turkey wishes to spread
this denial in our country. Demonstrations are organized here by
instructions of the Turkish government and with Turkish flags. They
constantly assert that, allegedly, the Genocide "is a lie." The Mayor’s
Office has been unable to do anything to prevent such demonstrations up
to present. If this law is adopted, the Mayor will have a possibility
to prohibit such cases," P.Devedjian said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
