French Armenian Genocide Bill

As you know the parliament of France has voted a new bill which criminalizes denial of the Armenian genocide. One wonders why such a law is voted and the timing of it. As you know, France is going to vote for a presidential election in May and that will surely explain the timing of it. An article in “Le Monde” explains how the law was brought up by Valérie Boyer , from the Marseilles region, representing Sarkozy party (UMP) where a substantial population of French from Armenian origin live. The article shows a map indicating a clear link between French-Armenian population and the vote of French deputies .  As Robert Badinter (former senator and minister of justice) wrote:  Parliament does not have the competence to dictate history only a judicial authority has the right to declare if a crime has been committed.  I would add: only an international one.

What are the right of French deputies to impose a prison term or fine because you dare to express an opinion in public? What happened to France, the cradle of free speech? Voltaire!  where are you?

   "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it."

By the way France, as well as a lot of western countries like England, USA, Germany, Spain, etc. can hardly tell other countries like Turkey that one hundred years ago they committed a genocide and that the denial of it is illegal, when only fifty years ago French soldiers were torturing Algerians fighting for their freedom and independence (Colonel Trinquier, Capitaine Leger, Colonel Bigeard and General Massu, etc.). 

So, small bickering French politicians from left or right ideology carry on with your silly fights and let people think whatever they like to think of, or believe in; but better still, start reading “Candide” again, you might learn something taught by a real advocate of civil liberties.

The same idea is applicable to the Jewish holocaust.