Legislation against free speech

About a week ago, I read on the news that the French senate has passed a bill making it illegal to deny the Armenian genocide that took place under Ottoman rule. Denial is now a crime punishable by a year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros.

It is objectionable that in a democratic society in which one of the most fundamental pillars is free speech that such a law could even be passed. Never mind that this legislation seemed to come out of nowhere. What had prompted France to get in between this century-old conflict between the Turks and the Armenians at this time?

History of all things is never black or white. "History is fables agreed upon" according Voltaire.

France may have gained favour with its 500,000 or so resident Armenians, but this is a step back for free speech. The government should not be in the business of legislating people what to believe.

Jan. 31, 2012
Latest update to this story: France's Armenia genocide law put on hold

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