French stylist of Armenian decent Didier Parakian published a petition, calling on Senate to criminalize Armenian Genocide negation, at petition-genocidearmenien.com website.

“Yielding to Turkey’s pressure, French senators refuse to introduce the bill in Senate. France cannot forget the memory of the nation, who fell victim to the crime against humanity. We, French citizens of Armenian decent, call on Senate to vote for adoption of a bill,” the petition ran.

On October 12, 2006, the French National Assembly passed a bill that would penalise negation of the Armenian Genocide. The French bill provides for a 1-year prison sentence and a Euro45,000 fine, the same as for Holocaust denial. To gain legal force, the bill must still be approved by the Senate and the President.