The recognition, condemnation and prevention of genocide remains a priority for Armenia, noted Foreign Affairs Minister Edward Nalbandian addressing the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York City on September 28.

“This March, the Human Rights Council adopted by consensus a resolution ‘On Prevention of Genocide,’ initiated by Armenia and co-sponsored by over 60 countries. The recognition, condemnation and prevention of genocide remains a priority for Armenia and we will take necessary actions to prevent new occurrences of the crime of genocide, while keeping high on the agenda the issue of responsibility for the crime against humanity and its denial.

“As a nation that has survived the first genocide of the twentieth century, Armenia unequivocally welcomes the clear position adopted by the UN member states in precluding any possibility of immunity or pardon for perpetrators of crimes against humanity,” Nalbandian stated. 

Reflecting on the fact that Armenia has assumed the Chairmanship at the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers since May of this year, Nalbandian stated that the cooperation between these two organizations is also well established in the fields of the fight against racism, xenophobia, hate-speech and intolerance. As per Nalbandian, these issues are also among Armenia’s chairmanship priorities that were defined in response to the challenges that member states of both the United Nations and the Council of Europe are facing today.

“Armenia has committed itself to the strengthening of the institutional capacities of the United Nations. We support the United Nations reform process and are ready to bring our feasible contribution to it. We believe that the reforms provide an opportunity to enhance the role of this organization in addressing the crucial issues facing the world,” Edward Nalbandian concluded.