WILLIAM SCHABAS: NO STATE CAN RENOUNCE INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS
Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 17 2009
Armenia
In his interview with the Lebanon-based Aztag daily, Professor
William A. Schabas, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights
at the National University of Ireland, referred to the principles of
international law, saying that a successor state is responsible for its
predecessors’ actions. Prof. William A. Schabas participated in recent
conference on the Armenian Genocide and International Law in Beirut.
Speaking of the complicated relations between Armenia and Turkey,
as well as of the Armenian Genocide, Prof. Schabas pointed out that
a state cannot renounce its international commitments, reorganizing
itself. The relevant provisions of international law are quite clear.
As regards the different opinions that in 2015, after a hundred years
have passed since the events in the Ottoman Empire, the issue may be
removed from the agenda, Prof. Schabas stated no law sets any terms,
particularly 100 years, as a time limitation for crimes like that. On
the other hand he pointed out that it is more and more difficult to
lay claims as time passes. No doubt, deported people have the right
to return to their native lands. The same principle applies to their
children and grandchildren. The law says that the rights to claims
become less and less topical in the course of time. Prof. Schabas did
not say anything definite concerning the Armenian Cause. He once more
pointed out that no law sets any time limits to the right of claim.