UNGA Adopts Resolution on International Genocide Commemoration Day, Initiated by Armenia
The United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly on Sept. 11 adopted a resolution entitled, “International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime,” at the 103rd plenary meeting of its 69th session. The resolution, which was initiated by Armenia, comes months after the adoption of another important resolution—also initiated by Armenia—that was adopted by the U.N. Human Rights Council in March 2015. The U.N. Human Rights Council then recommended that the U.N. General Assembly designate an International Day. The U.N. General Assembly resolution adds to the continued efforts of Armenia to promote consolidated international action against the crime of genocide.
Introducing the draft resolution on behalf of 84 co-sponsors from all regional groups, Armenia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, noted that “millions of human lives have been lost as a result of the most horrendous crime—the crime of genocide—that humankind has to its shame demonstrated ability to commit.”
“We believe the International Day will serve an important platform for prevention by way of commemoration,” added Mnatsakanyan, as the designated day, Dec. 9, is the date when the U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted in 1948.
Reaffirming the significance of the 1948 Convention as an effective international instrument for the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, the U.N. General Assembly resolution acknowledges that victims of this crime call for a form of memorialization, which plays an important role in the prevention of genocide. It reiterates the responsibility of each state to protect its populations from genocide, including incitement to it, through appropriate and necessary means. It further states that fighting impunity of genocide is an important factor in its prevention.
The resolution encourages states, international organizations, civil society, and individuals to observe the International Day in order to raise awareness of the 1948 Convention and its role in combating and preventing genocide, and to commemorate and honor its victims.
Mnatsakanyan remarked that the International Day would restore some dignity to the victims of past inaction. He noted that justice denied haunts generations of survivors, and undermines the fight against impunity. He also underlined the collective responsibility of member states in putting together the building blocks of a rigid system to prevent the crime of genocide, and to deny potential perpetrators the capability to carry out such crimes. “It would be the most appropriate way of paying tribute to the memories of victims [of genocide],” concluded Mnatsakanyan.
Guest Contributor
It is an very important resolution! Now whole world peoples and his counties governments, remembering this date (if the do it)will have the opportunity to create conscience about this question and against the impunity or the denial. But where is and who will promote the necessary political volunty to do it?
Stop War in Syria and Iraq
I applaud United Nations Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakabyan permanent representative of Armenia. How come the United Nations has not punished the Turkish government per the UN Convention resolution of Dec.9,1948 adopting the resolution to punish the crime the Genocide of the 21st Century for the last 67 years?
I am a Namibian and my people, the Ovaherero were swiped out by the Germans in 1904 – 1908. Von Trotha, the then German commander, gave out an extermination order against all the Herero and Nama people. 80% of my people were killed in the most horrendous manner and about 50% of the Nama. We will push for reparation and restoration of these once great people who fought fearlessly for thier land.
Nokokure,
I’ve been reading about about genocide in Namibia over the past years. I hope recognition of the Armenian Genocide also leads to the study and justice for other genocides and crimes which have been deliberately erased from history.
It is really painful for the Ovaherero and Ovambanderu as well as the Nama people of Namibia,that even after we have started creating awareness about our Genocide of 1904 – 1908, since 2003/4, ten year later (2014)the international community has not recognize our Genocide as significant to be considered among the most atrocious crimes of the past centuries. We thank the Armenians for keeping the issue of Genocide alive and on the international agenda. Veko.