ArmInfo. Fifteen years ago, we, all UN member states, reaffirmed the responsibility to protect as a firm political commitment to protect peoples from massive atrocities, including the crime of genocide. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan stated this during his speech at the 12th ministerial meeting "Responsibility to Protect".
"The responsibility to protect is both a political and a moral obligation. It is a powerful prevention tool in addition to its legal obligations under the Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide. As a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Armenia has included in its priories support for global efforts to prevent genocide and contributing to the UN Office's efforts to prevent genocide and the responsibility to protect Sustainable and effective operations of the office remain a top priority today In 2015, Armenia took the lead in global efforts to proclaim December 9 as International Day of Remembrance, Dignity and Prevention of the Crime of Genocide Victims. an additional platform for development and contribution to our collective prevention efforts ", stated Mnatsakanyan.
At the same time, he added that Armenia has consistently emphasized the need to strengthen capacities both at the national, regional and international levels, in order to identify and eliminate early warning signals that can lead to massive atrocities. According to the minister, official Yerevan also emphasized the need to prevent genocide and other atrocities in the early stages.
"All genocides could have been prevented, be it the Armenian genocide, the Jewish Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide or other atrocities. The spread of hatred, intolerance, extremism, propaganda of war, racial, national, ethnic, religious and other discrimination of minorities, as well as targeted attacks on civil the population continues to shape the current reality in different parts of the world. The international community, the UN and its member states are not yet ready to decisively and timely respond to these signals, "the Armenian Foreign Minister stated.
However, he expressed serious concern about the fact that the international community is ignoring threats, including denial and justification of genocides that took place in the past, intertwined with aggressive, offensive language from some politicians, reminding generations of victims of the "lessons" of the past. "This is very disturbing. The silence of such barbaric violations of the norms of the civilized world by potential criminals is interpreted as permissiveness to murder. Under no circumstances can sovereignty be used as a pretext for gross violations of human rights against those who peacefully exercise their human rights, including the right to self-determination. No nation has the right to commit murder under the pretext of sovereignty. In this respect, the responsibility to protect is very important, as it reminds us that sovereignty is not a privilege of impunity, but responsibility, "the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry said ... At the same time, he expressed his conviction that international cooperation to strengthen national defense capabilities is still more important than ever.
Mnatsakanyan recalled that respect for human rights is an integral part of a democratic society, pointing out the importance of fulfilling the obligations assumed in this area, working in close cooperation with the UN human rights mechanisms.
He also touched upon the Global Forum against the Crime of Genocide, noting that the 4th form will be devoted to the theme: "Women and girls: challenging the victim's stereotype", and will touch on the main causes and consequences of genocidal violence against women and girls. The conference will address the need to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and prosecute offenders. Prevention of mass crimes is the common responsibility of all of us, and we will continue our efforts to make an active contribution to the advancement of the global agenda on prevention, "the Armenian Foreign Minister summed up.