Today marks the 3rd annual United Nations (UN) International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, initiated by Armenia in 2015 and based on the anniversary of the adoption of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
“As the United Nations commemorates the victims of the crime of genocide, we pause to remember those whose lives were taken and recommit ourselves to genocide education and prevention,” stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “By remembering and learning the lessons of the past, we can help prevent future genocides,” he added.
Raphael Lemkin, a lawyer and Holocaust survivor who coined the term genocide, repeatedly cited the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust as prototypes for the crime of genocide. Lemkin worked tirelessly toward the adoption of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which the United States ratified in 1988.
Yesterday, the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect celebrated the 69th anniversary of the Genocide Convention, in addition to marking the International Day of Commemoration. In preparation of the Convention’s 70th anniversary, the UN Office is launching a one year appeal for the universal ratification of the Genocide Convention, representing a major united commitment of the international community toward the eradication of the crime of genocide.
“Since the adoption of Resolution 69/323 on September 11, 2015, the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime has become a solid platform to commemorate the victims of past genocides and to manifest our collective resolve against the recurrence of this crime. December 9 bears also an important function of raising awareness and promoting education about the dangers of genocide, about the Convention, its goals and purposes,” Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, said in his remarks. “Today, we appeal to the remaining 45 states to reflect on the significance of the Convention and to consider early accession and ratification,” he continued.
The Assembly offers resources to help educate about the Armenian Genocide through various online websites. On February 27, the Armenian National Institute (ANI) launched a Turkish-language version of its popular website documenting the facts and acknowledgments of the Armenian Genocide. The ANI Turkish site is designed to give access to broader Turkish-language audiences, both in the Republic of Turkey and outside. ANI was also credited in the Hollywood film The Promise, which depicts the extraordinary events of the Armenian Genocide. Like The Promise, The Washington Post, BBC, CNN, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian Magazine, and The Federalist, among other publications, have relied on the widely popular ANI site for accurate information on the Armenian Genocide. In addition, the Armenian Genocide Museum of America(AGMA) and the Armenian Assembly of America’s fact sheets are other commonly used resources.
Learn more about the Armenian Genocide:
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
