Abstract of a paper for the Buenos Aires
Conference
on the centenary of the Armenian genocide,
April 2014 - Aline Dedeyan (Geneva, Switzerland)
Genocide and related issues are key subjects of international criminal and humanitarian law to be addressed through universal legal instruments: courts, treaties, resolutions, the reports of independent experts and rapporteur’s, other documents and mechanisms, accredited with the United Nations, its General assembly, the Council of Human Rights and other bodies mandated to deal with crimes against humanity, safeguard and prevent violations of human rights, discrimination, minority rights, the search for truth and more …
In spite of abundant literature and media events on the Armenian genocide, Turkey and Azerbaijan pursue, unabated, geopolitical strategies to neutralize facts and reality by pushing denial and negationism at all levels – international, national and regional. For Armenians all over the world, a dramatic set back to restore an authentic Armenian identity, the normalization of Armenia’s relations with its neighbors, the lifting of the blockades and the recognition of Karabakh (Artsakh) as an independent non Azeri State.
Negationism, not yet coded by international law as a crime against humanity like genocide, is launched worldwide to brainwash world leaders, historians, lawyers, universities, legal institutions and block the implementation of the aftermaths of genocide in the form of repairs, reconciliation, indemnification, resettlement of refugees and IDP’s and other. Given the recurrence of genocides, however, the international community remains focused on this issue and the treatment of its victims, in addition to its prevention, early warning, State responsibility, appropriate sanctions and all means to stabilize relations between parties involved.
Faced with ongoing Azeri attacks and accusations, the Armenian delegation has maintained its positions and sponsored several resolutions on genocide. The last, adopted by acclamation in March 2013, containing, for the first time, far-reaching measures to further awareness building and shed new light on historical facts. Diaspora Armenian communities should join Armenia’s representatives to combat negationism by creating an NGO, a Non-Governmental Organization, a kind of civil partnership, accredited with ECOSOC, the General assembly and other UN agencies, ensuring Diaspora Armenians an active voice and role in all international fora on this issue.