Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
December 9, 2017 Saturday


Armenians feel moral obligation to contribute to international efforts
for prevention of genocides – FM Nalbandian



YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian foreign minister Edward
Nalbandian issued a statement on the International Day of
Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and
the Prevention of this Crime, the foreign ministry told Armenpress.

The statement says:

“As we mark today the International Day of Commemoration of the
Victims of Genocide we join our voice with all those who strive to
ensure that “never again” is a solemn promise that is universally
respected and kept.

As a people that passed through the horrors of Genocide, Armenians
feel moral obligation to contribute to the international efforts for
prevention of genocides, crimes against humanity. In 2015 due to the
efforts of Armenia the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a
unanimous Resolution on the Genocide Prevention while again on our
initiative the UN General Assembly assigned December 9th as an
International Day of Commemoration of the Victims of Genocide.

Since 2015, 9 December has become a solid platform for manifestation
of our collective resolve against the recurrence of this crime. It
also bears an important mission of raising awareness and promoting
education about the crimes against humanity.

On the next December 9th the International Commemoration Day will gain
even more significance since it will coincide with the 70th
anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. It will provide an opportunity to
once again reaffirm the importance of the Convention.

However, 70 years passed the world is not immune from this “odious
scourge”. It is imperative to redouble the international efforts aimed
at reinvigoration of the prevention agenda.

We hope that the 70th anniversary of the Convention will give a new
impetus to the international efforts in this regard”.