Prevention

Prevention

Prevention

GENOCIDE PREVENTION AGENDA

The issue of prevention of genocide and other atrocites is among the priorities of the foreign policy of the Republic of Armenia. The Republic of Armenia plays an active role in the international fight against genocide and other mass atrocities.

The main focus of these efforts is the fight against impunity, restoring justice, revealing the main causes of genocide, establishment of early prevention mechanisms, education on past genocides and paying tribute to the memory of the victims.

Armenia initiated and organizes Global forums Against the Crime of Genocide: the latter were respectively held in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2022.

Armenia continues to cooperate with the Global Action Initiative for the Prevention of Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC) and other international platforms which have this issue within their scope of responsibility.

With the aim to prevent genocides and exclude their recurrence, Armenia is conducting works with various UN structures. In particular, at the initiative of Armenia, during recent years several high-level discussions on the issue of genocide prevention have been held in UN, with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Special Adviser of the UN Secretary General on the Prevention of Genocide, as well as outstanding genocide scholars.

Armenia, emphasizing the importance of the genocide prevention issue, actively advocates it through various UN procedures, the Universal Periodic Review – among them.

Another important work carried out by Armenia is the presentation of genocide prevention resolutions within the UN framework.

The History of the Initiative of the Republic of Armenia to Introduce Thematic Resolutions on Genocide Prevention within the Framework of the United Nations Organization

Initiating and adopting a Resolution within the framework of the United Nations Organization is a valuable contribution to highlighting any issue of international significance.

Resolutions presented within the UN framework, whilst formulating new rules of behavior for the member states, in reality serve a dual function. Firstly, they can be perceived as a constituent phase of law formulation, which, in its turn, can lead to the formulation of norms of Public International Law, and secondly, notwithstanding their consultative character, they become instruments regulating relations between states. Consequently, despite their consultative character, UN Resolutions greatly impact the formulation process of International Law, especially in cases when the text of the resolution has been agreed upon by consensus.

The fact that Armenia has been the country to initiate thematic resolutions on Genocide Prevention is indeed symbolic, as it was the conscious act of a country representing a nation that has survived Genocide.

Armenia introduced its first thematic resolution at the UN Commission on Human Rights dedicated to the “Fiftieth Anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide” back in 1998. The idea and initiative to introduce such a thematic resolution belonged to late Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mr. Ashot Melik-Shahnazaryan.

Same year, on December 2, 1998, that Resolution was introduced at and adopted without a vote by the UN General Assembly as GA resolution 53/43. The Resolution was aimed at attracting the attention of the International Community towards the fact of the adoption of the Convention and at calling upon member states to provide for the study and dissemination of the latter.

The substance and scope of the four resolutions that followed afterwards were thoroughly revised. One of the most significant achievements was, that, starting from the very first resolution, Armenia succeeded in making reference to the 1968 UN Convention on the Non-applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity.

Until 2005 the resolutions were introduced biannually, in conformity with the work plan.

Below is a chronological list of the Resolutions introduced by Armenia and unanimously adopted by the UN Commission on Human Rights:

Resolution 1998/10 of April 3, 1998, on the “Fiftieth Anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”

Resolution 1999/67 of April 28, 1999, on the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”

Resolution 2001/66 of April 25, 2001, on the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”

Resolution 2003/66 of April 24, 2003, on the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”

Resolution 2005/62 of April 20, 2005, on the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”

Later on, resulting from the structural reforms enacted in the UN, the Commission on Human Rights was transformed into the Human Rights Council, and in 2008 Armenia already initiated the adoption of a resolution within this framework.

Starting from 2008, the resolutions introduced by Armenia were thoroughly revised content-wise. In particular, the Resolution introduced to the Human Rights Council that year presented the concept of prevention, thus raising the issue of state responsibility. 61 states co-sponsored the Resolution.

Below is a chronological list of the resolutions adopted within the UN Human Rights Council:

  • Resolution 7/25 of March 28, 2008 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 22/22 of March 22, 2013 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 28/34 of March 27, 2015 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 37/26 of March 23, 2018 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 43/29 of June 22 ,2020 on “Genocide Prevention”
  • Resolution 49/9 of March 31, 2022 on “Genocide Prevention”

 

The text of the 2013 Resolution underwent major changes, at the same time adhering to the main approaches to the issue: prevention, protection and punishment for the committed crime.

The text of the Resolution was explicitly enriched and modified with the amendments made, among which we can highlight to the following:

  • Inclusion of the principle of the Right to Truth, which presumes presenting the truth about mass violations of Human Rights;
  • Raising the issue of genocide prevention within the framework of the UN Universal Periodic Review;
  • Promoting issues related to Genocide education;
  • Establishing days in commemoration of the victims of Genocide;
  • Establishing regional and sub-regional cooperation.

 

As a result, UN member 60 states co-sponsored the resolution.

The next Resolution on Genocide Prevention was presented to the UN Human Rights Council in 2015. The Resolution presented by Armenia and adopted by consensus in 2013 served as a basis for the appropriately amended and revised version of the latter to be submitted for consideration in 2015. This time as well the modifications made to the text had their imprint in the development and enactment of the UN policy on Genocide prevention. These modifications included:

  • The necessity to perpetuate the memory of the victims of Genocide;
  • Condemnation of the policy of denialism, viewing Genocide as the most vicious crime against humanity and demonstrating the consequential connection between impunity and denialism, which, whilst becoming a constituent part of state policy, eventually hinders the reconciliation process between peoples;
  • Proposal to the General Assembly to establish the 9th of December as the International Day of the Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide;
  • Proposal to draft up a list of those involved in coordinating Genocide prevention issues.

The 2015 Resolution was co-sponsored by 72 states and was also adopted without a vote.

In 2015 the United Nations General Assembly, at its 69th session, adopted by consensus the resolution initiated by Armenia on designating December 9 as the “International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime”. The resolution was co-sponsored by 84 states.

The latest of the Resolutions on Genocide Prevention was adopted in March of 2018, with the co-sponsorship of 64 states. Given the fact that the year 2018 marked the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Resolution made a special reference to this significant event. It was considering this important anniversary that Armenia had suggested to hold a high-level panel discussion in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Convention during the 39th session of the Human Rights Council that took place in September, 2018. During the panel discussion opening remarks was delivered by the newly appointed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.

 

The next Resolution was unanimously adopted on June 22, 2020 at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council. The new Resolution co-sponsored by 66 countries, includes a number of new provisions among which highlighting that there is a threat of genocide in such countries where mass violations of basic human rights and freedoms, targeting and prosecution of ethnic, racial, religious minorities take place. In this context such early warnings of genocide as spreading hate speech by political leaders and deteriorating the real image of those groups were emphasized. A great significance was attached to the preservation of the cultural and religious heritage and historical monuments of ethnic and religious minorities. The Resolution also condemns genocidal acts against women and girls, as well as the practice of using them as a genocidal tool.

On 10 February 2021 an Intersessional meeting of the Human Rights Council on the Prevention of Genocide took place in Geneva. The meeting was mandated by the Resolution initiated by Armenia.

The latest Resolution on the “Genocide Prevention” was again adopted by consensus on March 31, 2022 at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The Resolution was widely supported, as evidenced by its co-sponsorship of 66 countries representing all five regional groups. The Resolution raises such issues as undertaking steps for conflict risk assessments, their prevention, the misuse of new technologies, including the threats of disseminating disinformation through social media, and reiterates the need for ensuring universal ratification of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG).

 

The Resolution proposes to organize a conference within the UN framework, which will be dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Convention. At the event it is planned to discuss the inadmissibility of using social media as a tool of hatred.

 

 

GENOCIDE PREVENTION AGENDA

The issue of prevention of genocide and other atrocites is among the priorities of the foreign policy of the Republic of Armenia. The Republic of Armenia plays an active role in the international fight against genocide and other mass atrocities.

The main focus of these efforts is the fight against impunity, restoring justice, revealing the main causes of genocide, establishment of early prevention mechanisms, education on past genocides and paying tribute to the memory of the victims.

Armenia initiated and organizes Global forums Against the Crime of Genocide: the latter were respectively held in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2022.

Armenia continues to cooperate with the Global Action Initiative for the Prevention of Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC) and other international platforms which have this issue within their scope of responsibility.

With the aim to prevent genocides and exclude their recurrence, Armenia is conducting works with various UN structures. In particular, at the initiative of Armenia, during recent years several high-level discussions on the issue of genocide prevention have been held in UN, with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Special Adviser of the UN Secretary General on the Prevention of Genocide, as well as outstanding genocide scholars.

Armenia, emphasizing the importance of the genocide prevention issue, actively advocates it through various UN procedures, the Universal Periodic Review – among them.

Another important work carried out by Armenia is the presentation of genocide prevention resolutions within the UN framework.

The History of the Initiative of the Republic of Armenia
to Introduce Thematic Resolutions on Genocide Prevention within
the Framework of the United Nations Organization

Initiating and adopting a Resolution within the framework of the United Nations Organization is a valuable contribution to highlighting any issue of international significance.

Resolutions presented within the UN framework, whilst formulating new rules of behavior for the member states, in reality serve a dual function. Firstly, they can be perceived as a constituent phase of law formulation, which, in its turn, can lead to the formulation of norms of Public International Law, and secondly, notwithstanding their consultative character, they become instruments regulating relations between states. Consequently, despite their consultative character, UN Resolutions greatly impact the formulation process of International Law, especially in cases when the text of the resolution has been agreed upon by consensus.

The fact that Armenia has been the country to initiate thematic resolutions on Genocide Prevention is indeed symbolic, as it was the conscious act of a country representing a nation that has survived Genocide.

Armenia introduced its first thematic resolution at the UN Commission on Human Rights dedicated to the “Fiftieth Anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide” back in 1998. The idea and initiative to introduce such a thematic resolution belonged to late Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mr. Ashot Melik-Shahnazaryan.

Same year, on December 2, 1998, that Resolution was introduced at and adopted without a vote by the UN General Assembly as GA resolution 53/43. The Resolution was aimed at attracting the attention of the International Community towards the fact of the adoption of the Convention and at calling upon member states to provide for the study and dissemination of the latter.

The substance and scope of the four resolutions that followed afterwards were thoroughly revised. One of the most significant achievements was, that, starting from the very first resolution, Armenia succeeded in making reference to the 1968 UN Convention on the Non-applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity.

Until 2005 the resolutions were introduced biannually, in conformity with the work plan.

Below is a chronological list of the Resolutions introduced by Armenia and unanimously adopted by the UN Commission on Human Rights:

Later on, resulting from the structural reforms enacted in the UN, the Commission on Human Rights was transformed into the Human Rights Council, and in 2008 Armenia already initiated the adoption of a resolution within this framework.

Starting from 2008, the resolutions introduced by Armenia were thoroughly revised content-wise. In particular, the Resolution introduced to the Human Rights Council that year presented the concept of prevention, thus raising the issue of state responsibility. 61 states co-sponsored the Resolution.

Below is a chronological list of the resolutions adopted within the UN Human Rights Council:

  • Resolution 7/25 of March 28, 2008 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 22/22 of March 22, 2013 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 28/34 of March 27, 2015 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 37/26 of March 23, 2018 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 43/29 of June 22 ,2020 on “Genocide Prevention”
  • Resolution 49/9 of March 31, 2022 on “Genocide Prevention”

The text of the 2013 Resolution underwent major changes, at the same time adhering to the main approaches to the issue: prevention, protection and punishment for the committed crime.

The text of the Resolution was explicitly enriched and modified with the amendments made, among which we can highlight to the following:

  • Inclusion of the principle of the Right to Truth, which presumes presenting the truth about mass violations of Human Rights;
  • Raising the issue of genocide prevention within the framework of the UN Universal Periodic Review;
  • Promoting issues related to Genocide education;
  • Establishing days in commemoration of the victims of Genocide;
  • Establishing regional and sub-regional cooperation.

As a result, UN member 60 states co-sponsored the resolution.

The next Resolution on Genocide Prevention was presented to the UN Human Rights Council in 2015. The Resolution presented by Armenia and adopted by consensus in 2013 served as a basis for the appropriately amended and revised version of the latter to be submitted for consideration in 2015. This time as well the modifications made to the text had their imprint in the development and enactment of the UN policy on Genocide prevention. These modifications included:

  • The necessity to perpetuate the memory of the victims of Genocide;
  • Condemnation of the policy of denialism, viewing Genocide as the most vicious crime against humanity and demonstrating the consequential connection between impunity and denialism, which, whilst becoming a constituent part of state policy, eventually hinders the reconciliation process between peoples;
  • Proposal to the General Assembly to establish the 9th of December as the International Day of the Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide;
  • Proposal to draft up a list of those involved in coordinating Genocide prevention issues.

The 2015 Resolution was co-sponsored by 72 states and was also adopted without a vote.

In 2015 the United Nations General Assembly, at its 69th session, adopted by consensus the resolution initiated by Armenia on designating December 9 as the “International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime”. The resolution was co-sponsored by 84 states.

The latest of the Resolutions on Genocide Prevention was adopted in March of 2018, with the co-sponsorship of 64 states. Given the fact that the year 2018 marked the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Resolution made a special reference to this significant event. It was considering this important anniversary that Armenia had suggested to hold a high-level panel discussion in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Convention during the 39th session of the Human Rights Council that took place in September, 2018. During the panel discussion opening remarks was delivered by the newly appointed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.

The next Resolution was unanimously adopted on June 22, 2020 at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council. The new Resolution co-sponsored by 66 countries, includes a number of new provisions among which highlighting that there is a threat of genocide in such countries where mass violations of basic human rights and freedoms, targeting and prosecution of ethnic, racial, religious minorities take place. In this context such early warnings of genocide as spreading hate speech by political leaders and deteriorating the real image of those groups were emphasized. A great significance was attached to the preservation of the cultural and religious heritage and historical monuments of ethnic and religious minorities. The Resolution also condemns genocidal acts against women and girls, as well as the practice of using them as a genocidal tool.

On 10 February 2021 an Intersessional meeting of the Human Rights Council on the Prevention of Genocide took place in Geneva. The meeting was mandated by the Resolution initiated by Armenia.

The latest Resolution on the “Genocide Prevention” was again adopted by consensus on March 31, 2022 at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The Resolution was widely supported, as evidenced by its co-sponsorship of 66 countries representing all five regional groups. The Resolution raises such issues as undertaking steps for conflict risk assessments, their prevention, the misuse of new technologies, including the threats of disseminating disinformation through social media, and reiterates the need for ensuring universal ratification of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG).

The Resolution proposes to organize a conference within the UN framework, which will be dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Convention. At the event it is planned to discuss the inadmissibility of using social media as a tool of hatred.

Resolution 1998/10 of April 3, 1998, on the “Fiftieth Anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”

Resolution 1999/67 of April 28, 1999, on the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”

Resolution 2001/66 of April 25, 2001, on the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”

Resolution 2003/66 of April 24, 2003, on the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”

Resolution 2005/62 of April 20, 2005, on the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”

Later on, resulting from the structural reforms enacted in the UN, the Commission on Human Rights was transformed into the Human Rights Council, and in 2008 Armenia already initiated the adoption of a resolution within this framework.

Starting from 2008, the resolutions introduced by Armenia were thoroughly revised content-wise. In particular, the Resolution introduced to the Human Rights Council that year presented the concept of prevention, thus raising the issue of state responsibility. 61 states co-sponsored the Resolution.

Below is a chronological list of the resolutions adopted within the UN Human Rights Council:

  • Resolution 7/25 of March 28, 2008 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 22/22 of March 22, 2013 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 28/34 of March 27, 2015 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 37/26 of March 23, 2018 on “Genocide prevention”
  • Resolution 43/29 of June 22 ,2020 on “Genocide Prevention”
  • Resolution 49/9 of March 31, 2022 on “Genocide Prevention”

 

The text of the 2013 Resolution underwent major changes, at the same time adhering to the main approaches to the issue: prevention, protection and punishment for the committed crime.

The text of the Resolution was explicitly enriched and modified with the amendments made, among which we can highlight to the following:

  • Inclusion of the principle of the Right to Truth, which presumes presenting the truth about mass violations of Human Rights;
  • Raising the issue of genocide prevention within the framework of the UN Universal Periodic Review;
  • Promoting issues related to Genocide education;
  • Establishing days in commemoration of the victims of Genocide;
  • Establishing regional and sub-regional cooperation.

 

As a result, UN member 60 states co-sponsored the resolution.

The next Resolution on Genocide Prevention was presented to the UN Human Rights Council in 2015. The Resolution presented by Armenia and adopted by consensus in 2013 served as a basis for the appropriately amended and revised version of the latter to be submitted for consideration in 2015. This time as well the modifications made to the text had their imprint in the development and enactment of the UN policy on Genocide prevention. These modifications included:

  • The necessity to perpetuate the memory of the victims of Genocide;
  • Condemnation of the policy of denialism, viewing Genocide as the most vicious crime against humanity and demonstrating the consequential connection between impunity and denialism, which, whilst becoming a constituent part of state policy, eventually hinders the reconciliation process between peoples;
  • Proposal to the General Assembly to establish the 9th of December as the International Day of the Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide;
  • Proposal to draft up a list of those involved in coordinating Genocide prevention issues.

The 2015 Resolution was co-sponsored by 72 states and was also adopted without a vote.

In 2015 the United Nations General Assembly, at its 69th session, adopted by consensus the resolution initiated by Armenia on designating December 9 as the “International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime”. The resolution was co-sponsored by 84 states.

The latest of the Resolutions on Genocide Prevention was adopted in March of 2018, with the co-sponsorship of 64 states. Given the fact that the year 2018 marked the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Resolution made a special reference to this significant event. It was considering this important anniversary that Armenia had suggested to hold a high-level panel discussion in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Convention during the 39th session of the Human Rights Council that took place in September, 2018. During the panel discussion opening remarks was delivered by the newly appointed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.

 

The next Resolution was unanimously adopted on June 22, 2020 at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council. The new Resolution co-sponsored by 66 countries, includes a number of new provisions among which highlighting that there is a threat of genocide in such countries where mass violations of basic human rights and freedoms, targeting and prosecution of ethnic, racial, religious minorities take place. In this context such early warnings of genocide as spreading hate speech by political leaders and deteriorating the real image of those groups were emphasized. A great significance was attached to the preservation of the cultural and religious heritage and historical monuments of ethnic and religious minorities. The Resolution also condemns genocidal acts against women and girls, as well as the practice of using them as a genocidal tool.

On 10 February 2021 an Intersessional meeting of the Human Rights Council on the Prevention of Genocide took place in Geneva. The meeting was mandated by the Resolution initiated by Armenia.

The latest Resolution on the “Genocide Prevention” was again adopted by consensus on March 31, 2022 at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The Resolution was widely supported, as evidenced by its co-sponsorship of 66 countries representing all five regional groups. The Resolution raises such issues as undertaking steps for conflict risk assessments, their prevention, the misuse of new technologies, including the threats of disseminating disinformation through social media, and reiterates the need for ensuring universal ratification of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG).

 

The Resolution proposes to organize a conference within the UN framework, which will be dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Convention. At the event it is planned to discuss the inadmissibility of using social media as a tool of hatred.

 

 

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