OIC head rejects French Senate's decision

JEDDAH (A.A) - January 24, 2012 - Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) rejected the Armenian bill which was adopted by French Senate. Ihsanoglu said that he rejected French Senate's adopting a bill which criminalizes the denial of Armenian allegations about 1915 incidents during Ottoman period.  This decision, which has nothing to do with historical realities and evidences, constitutes a double standard, he added. Ihsanoglu said that the decision was made to gain votes prior to the French elections, adding that it was against equality, freedom and brotherhood which France was based on. The decision was also against freedom of expression and scientific research, academic principles and human rights values, he added. French Senate on Monday adopted a bill that criminalizes the denial of Armenian allegations pertaining to the incidents of 1915. The bill was adopted by a vote of 127 against 86. With the adoption of the Armenian bill at the French Senate, the denial of Armenian allegations regarding the incidents of 1915 would be penalized with a prison term of one year and a monetary fine of 45,000 euros in France.