French National Assembly’s adoption of a bill penalizing Armenian Genocide denial confirms France as a human rights champion, according to European Integration NGO president.“Though cited as an attempt to garner electoral votes, the French parliament’s actions allowed to draw the international community's attention to Armenian Genocide issue,” Karen Bekaryan told a news conference in Yerevan.

“The adoption of a bill revealed the true face of Turkey yet another time, proving official Ankara's policy is based on threats and blackmail,” the expert said.

On December 22, French National Assembly passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial. The draft law envisages a year in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros for those who publicly deny the Armenian Genocide in France.