Criminalization only way to halt genocides – Armenian parliament official

The vice speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly has called for universal efforts towards criminalizing genocides, considering it the only way to prevent future atrocities against the mankind.

In a speech at a musical exhibition held at St Petersburg’s Tavridi Palace, Eduard Sharmazanov particularly shared the history of the Armenian Genocide, strongly condemning Turkey’s continuing policy of denial.

“Raphael Lemkin, a lawyer, used the term ‘genocide’ in 1944, referring the atrocities against the Armenians in Ottoman Turkey. Exactly 100 years ago, Turkey’s leadership orchestrated the genocide and dispossession of an entire nation only because they were Armenians pursuing the Christian faith.

“On April 24, no later than a month after the April events, the entente countries characterized the extremely grave crime committed by Turkey against the Armenian people as a ‘crime against humanity and civilization.’ This testifies to the fact that as early as 100 years ago, humanity realized the seriousness of the event. However, Turkey keeps persistently denying the Armenian Genocide.

“I think we must not only condemn the Armenian Genocide but also struggle with the progressive humanity to achieve its criminalization. Criminalization is the only way that can close the doors to new genocides,” he said.