In France, war crime apology is a legal concept and a criminal offense based on the promotion and justification of war crimes.

Definition

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The glorification of war crimes and crimes against humanity are distinct offenses but both are prohibited by article 24, paragraph 5, of the law of July 29, 1881:

Will be punished with the same penalty [five years' imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros] those who ... have advocated the crimes referred to in the first paragraph, war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of enslavement or exploitation of a person reduced to slavery or crimes and misdemeanors of collaboration with the enemy, including if these crimes have not given rise to the conviction of their perpetrators[1][2]

The definition of an "apology" is not specified. It may be the desire to justify a crime, which is not to be confused with praise or provocation (incitement) to commit this crime: "it is enough that such remarks, once projected into the future , encourage people to pass a favorable judgment on crimes of this nature."[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Loi du 29 juillet 1881 sur la liberté de la presse". Légifrance. July 15, 2021..
  2. ^ "L'apologie de crimes de guerre et de crimes contre l'humanité sont des délits distincts". actualitesdudroit.fr. May 31, 2018..
  3. ^ Jacques Francillon (2013). "Apologie de crimes contre l'humanité. Absence de portée normative de la loi "Taubira" du 21 mai 2001". Revue de science criminelle et de droit pénal comparé..