UN Human Rights Council Adopts Resolution on Prevention of Genocide

GENEVA, Switzerland (A.W.)—On March 27, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution on the prevention of genocide (A/HRC/28/L.25). Introduced by the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations, the resolution recommends that the General Assembly designate Dec. 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 stresses that the fight against impunity is key to the prevention of genocide. It also underscores the importance of genocide education and the need to identify the root causes of genocide, and suggests that a list of contact points be established to strengthen efforts toward prevention. It also 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 Dec. 9 as the “Day of Remembrance of Victims of All Genocides.” According to the reasoning submitted by the sponsoring members of Parliament, the adoption of the law will set Dec. 9 as the day of condemnation and remembrance of all genocides, “based on the fact that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide on Dec. 9, 1948.”
The full text of the UNHRC resolution can be read here.