By punishing deniers of genocide in Greece they will make Europe speak up

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Adoption of the bill on criminalizationofthe denial of theArmenianGenocide at the Greek parliament will promote the discussions within the European Union, Specialist of Turkish studies Artak Shakaryan told Armenpress.

“After the adoption of the bill at the Greek parliament, Armenian historians and diplomats should carry out serious work. They should take care that other EU countries not only recognize the Armenian Genocide but also work out a bill criminalizing its denial. The adoption of the bill should also be a signal for the Armenian parliament and make them think of recognizing the genocide of the Pontic Greeks. They should speak of the genocides of the Assyrian people and Greek not only for establishing justice but also for denying the Turkish thesis, according to which the Armenians were murdered at the beginning of the 20th century because they cooperated with the Russian army. Speaking of the genocide of the Greeks, Yezidis and Assyrians, Armenia will first deny that thesis and will prove that there was a clear plan in Turkey of exterminating the Christian peoples,” stressed Artak Shakaryan.

The adoption of the bill in Greece will also prompt The European Court of Human Rights both related to the case of Turkish nationalist Doğu Perinçek and other subsequent cases, so that the custody for denying the genocide is not looked upon as restriction of freedom of speech.

The voting of the Genocide denial criminalizing bill at the Greek Parliament will take place on September 9 at 19:00 Greece time.The bill entitled “Fight against Xenophobia” envisages bringing to criminal account for denial of the genocides of not only the Jews, but also Armenians and Pontus Greeks on the territory of Greece. The bill provides big money fines and imprisonment for the people, who publicly humiliate and deny the genocides – crime against the humanity – recognized by the international courts and the Greek Parliament. In case 51 deputies of the Parliament out of 101 vote for the bill, it will be adopted.