Armenian parliament starts hearings on amendments to Criminal Code  aimed at severer punishment for denial of Armenian Genocide

ArmInfo.Hearings have begun in the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, proposed by the opposition "Armenia" faction, aimed at increasing penalties  for denial of the Armenian Genocide.

According to faction secretary Artsvik Minasyan, the proposal is to  amend Article 136 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.  Specifically, public denial, justification, or downplaying of the  Armenian Genocide is punishable by a fine of 100 to 300 minimum  wages, or community service for 150 to 250 hours, or short-term  imprisonment for one to two months, or imprisonment for up to four  years.

An act committed with the intent to incite hatred, discrimination, or  violence against an individual or group of individuals based on race,  skin color, national or ethnic origin, or religious affiliation is  punishable by imprisonment for a term of four to eight years. An act  committed through the use of publicly displayed works, mass media, or  information and communications technology, or through the use of  official or official powers, is punishable by imprisonment for a term  of ten to fifteen years, with deprivation of the right to hold  certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of  five years.

Minasyan noted that no criminal proceedings had previously been  initiated under this article, despite numerous instances and facts.  The MP noted that the document will help prevent instances of denial  of the Armenian Genocide, genocides against other peoples recognized  by the Republic of Armenia, or genocides recognized internationally.

In turn, Alkhas Ghazaryan, a member of the National Assembly of the  Republic of Armenia from the ruling Civil Contract faction, noted  that the document presented was discussed at a meeting of the  National Assembly Committee on State and Legal Affairs and did not  receive a positive conclusion.  This is because Article 136 of the  Criminal Code already provides for liability for denial of the  Armenian Genocide.