According to the current legislation, the denial of genocide is criminalized only if the act is committed with the intent to incite hatred or violence on the grounds of race or ethnicity. This was stated on September 3 by Artsvik Minasyan, Secretary of the parliamentary faction of the opposition bloc Armenia, during the session of the Standing Parliamentary Committee on State and Legal Affairs, while discussing the draft amendments to the Criminal Code.
“There are numerous cases when individuals, by denying the fact of genocide, in effect indirectly attempt to diminish this criminal act or even portray the victim as the perpetrator. However, the current legislation, unfortunately, does not ensure that such individuals are held accountable,” Minasyan said.
He also recalled that the Declaration of Independence of Armenia establishes the obligation to pursue international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. According to the MP, these amendments are aimed at protecting national identity and statehood.
Under the proposed bill, denial, trivialization, approval, or justification of the Armenian Genocide or similar crimes would be punishable by a fine, community service, or imprisonment of up to four years. If the act were committed with the purpose of inciting hatred, discrimination, or violence based on racial, national, or religious grounds, imprisonment from four to eight years would be prescribed. If committed through the mass media, information technologies, or by abusing official powers, a more severe penalty would apply—imprisonment from ten to fifteen years, along with a ban on holding certain positions for up to five years.
After lengthy and emotional debates, this legislative initiative received a negative conclusion from the Standing Parliamentary Committee. Deputies from the ruling Civil Contract party opposed it.
