Armenian National Assembly vice-speaker Eduard Sharmazanov sent a letter to the author of the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial, French MP Valerie Boyer.

“French Parliament reaffirmed the high human values that France adheres to…We hope this will serve a good example for other democratic states,” the letter reads.

On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill, initiated by a Deputy Valérie Boyer, with 127 votes for and 86 against. On December 22, 2011, it was adopted by the French National Assembly. The bill will impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.

The bill is believed to take effect in France within two weeks, after it will be signed by President.