Foreign

Home page

Foreign

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja MijatoviÄ‡: â€œThe law adopted by French Parliament is contrary to international standards of freedom of speech and expressionâ€

23 December 2011 08:03 (UTC +04:00)

MijatoviÄ‡ said that the final adoption of these legal amendments would raise serious concerns with regard to international standards of freedom of expression.

â€œFurthermore, it could set a precedent internationally for politically construed, ad-hoc criminalization of public debates. Criminalization of debates on history’s true course, even of obviously false and offensive statements about a nation’s tragic moment, is not conducive to a better understanding among people, communities and authorities of OSCE participating States.â€

MijatoviÄ‡ also said she feared the passing of this law by a nation with a great history of press freedom might prompt other countries in the OSCE region to follow Franceâ€™s example and similarly criminalize historical statements in violation of their OSCE commitments which aim at encouraging free discussion on issues of public interest.

The bill was voted today by the National Assembly. If approved by the Senate -- the upper house of Parliament -- it would make those who deny or â€œoutrageously minimizeâ€ genocides recognized as such by French legislation liable to a one-year jail term, or a 45,000 euro fine, or both.