YEREVAN. - Armenians, Jews, Tutsis and Bosnians cannot stay alone with their pain, since this is the pain of the entire humanity, Hayk Demoyan, Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute told today at the opening of the 12th meeting of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), entitled “Comparative Analysis of 20th Century Genocides.”  

According to him, the opening of the scientific conference in Yerevan in 2015 conveys a symbolic meaning.

“The commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this year forced everyone to not only look back at the tragedy, but also once again remember the horrors of the First and Second World Wars. These are the horrible episodes of the 20th century,” Demoyan said.

Today, he continued, the Association of Genocide Scholars has gathered in Yerevan.  “During several days they will discuss the issue which has turned into a vice of the humanity, the name of which is “genocide.” Up to now we have been living in a century of genocides, possessing no effective means for their prevention. The violence and terrorism rampant in different corners of the world, as well as the aggressive rhetoric of the leaders of different countries serve as signals which shouldn’t be ignored,” Demoyan said.

According to him, genocide is not a historical concept, and can neither be limited, nor separated into territory and time. “I have to say that those who have chosen Genocide Studies as a profession, have taken a fateful decision: this means living with the pain and tragedy of thousands of people, mentally sharing their pain,” he said.