PARIS. – What are the exceptions of the Armenians in France regarding French MPs appeal to the Constitutional Council against the recent adoption of the bill by the Senate criminalizing denial of genocides, including the Armenian Genocide?

If earlier the Armenians had some chances, now there is little place for the optimism after the Marseilles Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin’s statement at the annual reception of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF).

“There are all the chances that the Constitutional Council will reject the text. I am almost sure of it and I have pessimistic expectations,” the Mayor said during the reception, French La Provence reports. “Worst is that the Council may recoil even the law adopted in 2001.”

Besides, he does not believe the French President to introduce a new bill as there is simply no time left. 

“We feel like I was fooled,” head of CCAF Provence Julien Harounian said.

Besides, the promulgation of the bill was postponed, which lead to the appeal of its anti-constitutional character.

“We have an odd feeling,” National Secretary of the CCAF and the opposition councilor Pascal Shamasian said adding it is an issue of right and not a political one, the Council should respect the national representation.

Nevertheless, the Armenian Community is ‘decisive in mobilization.’