Thursday, September 13 2018 18:52

ArmInfo. Since 1998, Armenia has consistently interacted within the UN in order to raise awareness of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of  Crimes against Humanity. On September 13, Armenian Foreign Minister  Zohrab Mnatsakanyan stated at a conference dedicated to the 70th  anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the  Crime of Genocide in Geneva.

He also recalled that exactly 10 years ago on March 25, 2008, the  Human Rights Council unanimously adopted resolution 7/25 "Prevention  of Genocide", initiated by Armenia. According to him, since then  Armenia regularly and consistently updates the regulatory framework  in this direction. "This platform gives an opportunity to reaffirm  Armenia's firm commitment and determination to continue efforts to  promote the agenda in the field of human rights, to prevent atrocious  crimes, including genocide," Mnatsakanyan said.

He stressed that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the adoption  of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of  Genocide. According to the Armenian minister, the tendencies of  radicalism, isolation and hatred shake the international agenda.  Special anxiety, according to Mnatsakanyan, causes a marked reduction  in international commitment to multilateralism and respect for human  rights, at a time when the need for this has increased, especially  within the UN.  "The genocides, perhaps, are not committed so often,  but however rare it is, this is the most serious crime," the Armenian  minister said.

At the same time, he stressed that Armenia consistently voiced the  importance of preventing such crimes.  "Early warning means early  action.The warning primarily involves legal and institutional  opportunities firmly based on the protection of all fundamental human  rights and freedoms and encouraging political and moral  responsibility.Lack of opportunities for the protection of human  rights for the most part lead to genocide, war crimes and crimes  against humanity, "the Armenian FM noted.

According to him, a warning at the international level requires a  comprehensive approach and actions in all directions, intertwined  with the three basic principles - security, development and human  rights.  Mnatsakanyan noted that the UN and the international  community should be resolute in responding to all manifestations of  discrimination, propaganda of hatred, radicalism and sowing of  hatred. "Denial and impunity are the main obstacles to the prevention  of such crimes." Rejected justice prevents genuine reconciliation of  generations that survived the genocide, "the Armenian minister said.   In conclusion, he recalled that on December 9, 2018, the Third Global  Forum against the Crime of Genocide will be held in Yerevan. "Armenia  is obliged and ready to promote collective international efforts to  develop measures to prevent genocides," the Armenian Foreign Minister  summarized.