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Chairman of Fund of State Support to Non-Governmental Organization: â€œThis will make it impossible for France to continue its mediation mission as a co-chairâ€

24 January 2012 12:49 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. â€œThe adoption of a draft law criminalizing the denial of made-up â€œArmenian genocideâ€ is a black spot on Franceâ€™s historyâ€, Chairperson of the Council of State Support to NGOs under the President of Azerbaijan, MP Azay Guliyev told APA. According to him, President Nicolas Sarkozy sacrificed the freedom of speech and expression, democratic values which have been ruling in France since 1789, to its political ambitions: â€œIt has no other name, because though a great part of French society, separate NGOs, the Senateâ€™s Constitution commission and another majority were against it, Sarkozyâ€™s party achieved the adoption of this law in the Senate. I say once again, this step is contrary to the European human rights valuesâ€.

As regards the steps that will be taken after it, according to MP, there are two ways: â€œFirstly, the French senators will complain to the Constitutional Council on this issue. The Constitutional Council will research whether this decision complies with the French Constitution. I hope that there is a chance for the law not to become effective. If it fails, there is a second way. It is the European Court on Human Rights. But there are also the other planes. First of all I think that the international organizations, the Council of Europe and the OSCE should express an enough keen position. They must express that this law was contrary to the international lawâ€.

Azay Guliyev says that Azerbaijan should coordinate its concrete activity in this direction.
â€œWe will raise this issue in the winter session of the OSCE PA next month. OSCE commissioner for human rights should express position. The European Parliament, OSCE PA and PACE should organize events protesting against it. The civil society institutions should hold meetings. I call on the nongovernmental organizations to demonstrate solidarity. We will issue a protest statement at the meeting of the nongovernmental organizations on January 25,â€ he said.

Azay Guliyev said the law seriously damaged Franceâ€™s status and activity in the OSCE Minsk Group.
â€œNow France can not say that it is a neutral mediator and is unbiased. There was a serious doubt, but this law once more showed that France does not support justice, it supports injustice. This will make it impossible for France to continue its mediation mission as a co-chair. France at least has no moral right for it,â€ he said.

Azay Guliyev said the step of France will not remain unanswered by Turkey and Azerbaijan.