28/03/2015 09:48
Public denials undermine efforts to fight impunity – UN council adopts genocide prevention resolution
On March 27, The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution on the prevention of genocide, which was introduced by the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations (UN), the Armenian Weekly reported.
The resolution on the prevention of genocide (A/HRC/28/L.25) recommends that the General Assembly designate December 9 as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide, “in order to raise awareness of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and its role in combatting and preventing the crime of genocide.”
The resolution also reiterates that the fight against impunity is key in the prevention of genocide. It also underscores the need to identify the root causes of genocide, and suggests that a list of contact points be established to strengthen efforts toward genocide prevention. It also underlines the importance of genocide education, and expresses the need for “enhanced international cooperation.”
The resolution further “condemns the intentional public denial or glorification of crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity as defined by international law, and notes with concern that public denials create a risk of further violations and undermine efforts to prevent genocide.”
On Feb. 13, the government of Armenia approved a motion declaring December 9 as a “Day of Remembrance of Victims of All Genocides.”