NICOSIA, Cyprus—The Parliament of Cyprus unanimously approved a resolution Thursday making the denial of the Armenian Genocide a crime, reported Cyprus Mail.
“Today is a historic day. It allows parliament to restore, with unanimous decisions and resolutions, historical truths,” speaker of Parliament Yiannakis Omirou was quoted as saying by the Mail.
The bill will penalize denial of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes with a prison sentence of 5 years and a fine of 10,000 Euros, according to Armenpress.
“Armenia welcomes the unanimous adoption of a bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide by the Cyprus Parliament. This is a symbolic event on the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,” Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said in a statement.
“By adopting this law, Cyprus made an important contribution to the high mission of prevention of genocides and crimes against humanity,” Minister Nalbandian stated.
A delegation led by Armenia’s National Assembly President Galust Sahakyan is on an official visit to the island, according to the official website of the National Assembly. The delegation, which arrived on April 1, met with representatives of the Armenian community, and visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex in Nicosia. National Assembly Vice President Eduard Sharmazanov, deputies Vahram Baghdasaryan, Armen Mkhitaryan, Mikayel Manukyan, and Lyudmila Sargsyan are also part of the Armenian delegation.
A very commendable development, thank you, Cypriots. In fact, part of their beautiful island is currently under Turkish occupation – Turkey’s military have created an illegitimate satellite state there, the so-called. “Republic of Northern Cyprus”.
Thank you Cyprus.
Thank You.