The executive director of European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) believes that new countries will adopt a law to criminalize denial of genocides ahead of the Armenian Genocide centennial.

“Those who recognized the Armenian Genocide, will, most possibly, pass the law to criminalize its denial,” Bedo Demirchyan told RFE/FL Armenian Service, further urging for international recognition of the crime against humanity.

Commenting on Aram I’s petition to the Turkish court for return of the Sis catholicosate, Demirchan announced Diaspora organizations’ decision to demand compensation, along with recognition of the atrocities.

According to the EAFJD official, the independence referendum in Scotland improved European approach to the peoples’ right to self-determination.

“A year after President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement about joining the Russian-dominated Customs Union, Brussels became more understanding about the reasons behind the decision,” Demirchyan said.

Demirchyan also hailed the Armenian leader’s presence at a NATO summit in Wales, suggesting Yerevan seeks to maintain its ties with the West despite abandoning the EU association agreement to some extent.