Monday, June 22 2020 20:23

ArmInfo. During the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, a resolution on the prevention of genocide, initiated by Armenia, was adopted by  consensus.  Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan announced  this on his Twitter page.

Expressing gratitude to all the cosponsors of the resolution, the  Armenian Minister noted that Armenia will continue to promote this  important issue on the international agenda.

Meanwhile, according to the RA MFA, Andranik Hovhannisyan, Permanent  Representative of Armenia to UN, during the adoption of draft  resolution "Prevention of Genocide" at the 43rd session of UN Human  Rights Council made a statement, which reads as follows:   It's an honor to present draft resolution L.26 entitled "Prevention  of genocide", which enjoys wide co- sponsorship from all five  regional groups. Previous resolutions on this issue have always been  adopted by consensual support of this august Council and its   predecessor for almost two decades.  The draft resolution is a  manifestation of Armenia's continuing and resolute commitment to the  international efforts for genocide prevention. It's a call to prevent  deterioration of the human rights violations into such an egregious  crime as genocide is. It's pertinent and urgent as we all witness  gross abuses of human rights in different parts of the world.  Today  it is not enough just to say "Never Again!" If pronouncing that motto  loud enough should have had any effect, or one that we wanted, there  should have been no more instances of the crime of genocide  registered anywhere around the globe.   It was no coincidence that the Genocide Convention was the first  human rights treaty adopted by the General Assembly. That fact is  finally going to be duly noted by the Council. We are glad that the  new draft enhances the relevant role of the HRC and UN human rights  machinery at large.  The Council will recognize that genocide is  typically preceded or accompanied by widespread human rights  violations, patterns of discrimination, statements by public figures  that express support for the affirmation of superiority of a group.  It encourages to take measures necessary to prevent the destruction  of historic monuments, memorial sites, including in places where  crimes and atrocities have been committed. The draft also discusses  the gender aspects of genocide, it acknowledges the contribution of  the civil society and attaches importance to the role of remembrance,  memorialization and education in genocide prevention.   The resolution expresses concern that justification, biased accounts,  or denial of genocide may increase the risk of the recurrence of  violence.  The draft resolution requests the High Commissioner to  organize an intersessional meeting on strengthening capacities for  the prevention of genocide. The Council will also invite SG's Special  Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide to an interactive dialogue.   President, Armenia cherishes the international consensus on the need  to mobilize our efforts to prevent the scourge of genocide. We  believe that consensual adoption of this resolution would be the only  right signal that we can send to the larger world today.   We would like to express our profound gratitude to all co-sponsors.  We feel indebted to all Member States, especially for their  constructive contribution to this process''.