Ruling bloc votes down genocide denial criminalization

The National Assembly has rejected in the first reading a draft law proposed by the opposition Hayastan faction, which aimed to criminalize the denial of the Armenian Genocide.

The bill received 26 votes in favor, 58 against, and 2 abstentions.

Before the vote, head of the ruling Civil Contract faction Hayk Konjoryan announced that the majority would oppose the initiative, Sputnik Armenia reported.

Presenting the bill, Artsvik Minasyan, secretary of the Hayastan faction, said it proposed penalties ranging from fines of 100–300 times the minimum wage, to 150–250 hours of community service, or restriction of liberty from one month to four years.

Reporting as co-speaker, Civil Contract MP Alkhas Ghazaryan stated that the State and Legal Affairs Committee saw no need for the bill, as Article 136 of the Criminal Code already covers similar offenses.

The government had also issued a negative opinion back on May 22, arguing that the proposed changes were unnecessary.

On April 22, the parliament had already held heated debates on this issue. Artsvik Minasyan said his faction circulated the bill ahead of the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide to criminalize its denial.

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