The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, MiklГіs Haraszti, expressed his concern today about the French National Assembly's adoption in a first reading of an amendment that aims to criminalize the denial that the 1915 killings of Armenians in Turkey was genocide
In a letter sent to the President of the French Senate, Christian Poncelet, the Representative, asked the Senate members to reject the amendment when it reaches the Senate in its capacity to the second chamber, Trend reports with reference to the statement of the OSCE.
In addition, he stressed that France recognized the genocide in the January 19, 2001 draft law. The proposed amendment would introduce a punishment for denial amounting to one year's imprisonment and a fine of EUR 45,000. Both the fact of criminalization of statements, and the severity of the sanctions would infringe upon editorial freedom in France," added Haraszti. "The adoption of the amendment by France, a nation with a long-standing tradition of freedom of expression, could set a dangerous precedent for other nations of the OSCE, he concluded.