Member of French National Assembly Bruno Le Roux delivered a speech in support of adoption of the bill penalizing Armenian Genocide denial, along with a number of other MPs.

“We should not allow the crime of genocide to be of lasting nature, as annihilation of memory follows physical extermination,” the MP said. “We cannot allow for a breach of laws we passed within our national borders.”

He further dismissed fears of a number of parliamentarians, who says the motion can incite a conflict. “We do not light a fire, on the contrary, we are trying to assuage the fire of memory,” he said.

Today, December 22, the French parliament is debating the bill, which envisages a year in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros for those who publicly deny the Armenian Genocide in France.

On December 7, the Judiciary Committee of the French National Assembly passed the bill introduced by MP Valerie Boyer (UMP).