Bundestag to consider petition on criminalization of genocide denialFebruary 27, 2012 - 10:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Petitions Committee of German Bundestag will discuss the issue of criminalization of denial of genocides recognized by the Federal Republic of Germany during one of its forthcoming sessions. “In response to the petition submitted on January 26, 2012, the Bundestag Commission informed the department of genocide recognition headed by Dr. Tessa Hofmann about its intention to discuss the issue,” a source in Germany told PanARMENIAN.Net The source believes Bundestag’s Commission will decide on this matter after the constitutional council of France issues a verdict on the same bill. In June 2005, the German Bundestag unanimously adopted the Resolution on the Armenian Genocide sponsored by the Christian Democratic Union/ Christian Social Union without discussion. The document was titled "Commemoration of Victims and Deportation of Armenians in 1915: Germany has to participate in reconciliation of Armenians and Turks". Though the document does not directly mention recognition of the Armenian Genocide, it notes that “many independent historians, as well as parliaments of many countries and international organizations call events of 1915 a genocide.” On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial with 127 votes for and 86 against. Expected to be signed into law by President within 14 days, 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. Two separate groups of French politicians who oppose the legislation - from both the Senate and the lower house - said they had formally requested the constitutional council examine the law. The groups said they each had gathered more than the minimum 60 signatures required to ask the council to test the law's constitutionality. The council is expected to deliver its judgment by March 1. French President Nicolas Sarkozy pledged to circulate a new bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial in case the constitutional council recognizes the January 23 bill as contradicting the constitution. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Prosecutors to appeal Armenia ex-President’s acquittal Sargsyan was acquitted on Friday, May 31 more than four years after going on trial on corruption charges. Armenia: 28 protesters arrested after clash with police The Investigative Committee of Armenia has announced the arrest of 28 participants of an opposition demonstration. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenian government besieged by protesters Protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan poured into Yerevan’s Republic Square to try to surround the seat of Armenia’s government. |