By Gearóid Ó Colmáin – In recent years France has appeared to be determined to antagonise its old diplomatic ally. In 2016 the French assembly passed a law making it illegal to “deny” the Armenian genocide of 1915. Henceforth any historian who doubts aspects of the “official” history could go to prison and face a fine of 45,000 euros. Turkey continues to deny its responsibility for the Armenian genocide.
Since the Gaysot Law making it illegal to question any aspect of the Jewish genocide during the Second World War, history in France has been increasingly falling into the purview of jurisprudence rather than historiography. France’s attempt to legislate on Turkish history was clearly a political move intended to score points over a potential geopolitical rival. The Armenian genocide has become a cause célèbre of elite actors and activists of the Western imperial establishment. CONTINUE READING
