French Minister of Justice Michel Mercier said they remember all provisions of the criminal legislation, which can be implemented. A circular will be sent to all prosecutors this week, it will envisage a punishment for insulting members of the Armenian community, Mercier said after a French Senate sitting.

The French Senate on May 4 did not consider the resolution that if passed would criminalize the denial of the Armenian Genocide in France. With a vote 196 to 74, the senate blocked a formal debate on the issue.

Mercier also noted that a law penalizing racist statements has been enacted in France since 2008. “Provisions of the law were discussed during a meeting between representatives of the Armenian community with President Sarkozy. The government will not stay aside – the Armenian Genocide is a recognized fact for us,” AFP quoted Mercier as saying.