Today marks the 76th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Adopted in the wake of the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust, the Convention is a pledge to the victims and survivors of genocide to ensure that these atrocities never occur again. This was stated in the message of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the participants of the 5th Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide, which is being held in Yerevan Thursday.

"Tragically, in a world plagued by division, mistrust and violence, the dark spectre of genocide is still with us. In the name of the victims and survivors of genocide, all governments must ratify and fully implement the Convention, holding perpetrators to account .

We must strengthen the tools of prevention, including education and countering mis- and disinformation that can fuel hate speech and genocidal intent and action. We must respect and implement decisions of the International Court of Justice on the application of the Convention," the message added, in particular.