Non-condemnation of Armenian Genocide triggered other genocides

Non-condemnation of the Armenian Genocide triggered other genocides, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said addressing opening of the International Conference entitled “The Crime of Genocide: Prevention, Condemnation and Elimination of Consequences” in Yerevan.

He reminded that the prehistory of making the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in 1948 relates to the most tragic event in Armenian people’s history.

“Non-condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and non-elimination of its consequences made young philologist Raphael Lemkin ask his professor in 1921 why Armenia does not pursue arrest of organizers of the Armenian Genocide. Professor’s reply that there is no law to arrest them made Lemkin abandon philology and study international law, in particular, crimes against humanity, which paved the way for adoption of the Convention in 1948,” Minister said.

According to Minister Nalbandyan, later, it took much effort to eliminate consequences of the Holocaust.

“Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur and other tragedies testified that good will cannot be sufficient to eradicate such manifestations triggering genocide as hatred and hostility sown on national, ethnic, racial or religious ground,” Nalbandian said.

Nalbandian attached importance to the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

“Genocide denial, impunity pave the way for recurrence of new crimes against humanity. Regardless of geopolitical or other interests, the international community should unite for genocide condemnation and prevention. The very lack of unity triggers new attempts of genocides,” Minister stressed.