“YOU HAVE A DIAMOND HEART”: SPECIAL ADVISER OF UN SECRETARY GENERAL ADAMA DIENG

The lecture was organized by YSU Institute of Armenian Studies and the Rectorate.

The head of the Department of International Organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vahram Kazhoyan, the head of the International Cooperation Office of YSU Alexander Markarov, the Scientific Secretary Menua Soghomonyan, the Dean f the Faculty of History Edik Minasyan, the head of the Chair of Turkish Studies Alexander Safaryan, the CEO of “The Union of Historians of Armenia” NGO Mher Hovhannisyan, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of International Relations Arthur Israelyan, representatives of the faculty and students were present at the meeting.

The head of the Division of Genocide Suren Manukyan greeting those present outlined the importance of the possibility of being present at the lecture of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide Mr. Adam Dieng which became possible within the framework of the Third Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide.

Greeting those present Mr.Dieng stressed that he had gladly accepted the invitation to deliver a lecture at YSU. He attached importance to the scientific role of Genocide Studies as it is essential to collect and study the date related to this crime, to analyze them and make conclusions.

Mr. Dieng also spoke about the Genocides taking place in the 21st century. “We think that Genocides relate to the past, but today we are witnessing the Genocide of the Nuer tribe in Southern Sudan, the Genocide of the Darfur tribes in Sudan, the Genocide of the Yazidis in Syria and Iraq, the Genocide of Rohingya in Myanmar”, said Mr. Adama Dieng.

In response to the questions related to the propaganda war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the anti-Armenian propaganda of the latter, to the actions taken by the UN to prevent this situation Mr. Dieng said,

“I am aware of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan but as I always say, a political will is needed here to find solutions. Both parties must take efforts to get a peaceful and complete mutual agreement”. He added that being neighbours these countries must find the variant of living in peace. According to him, hatred propaganda must be renounced by societies, particularly when the hatred is based on national identity and dialogues are to be started between the two counties.

There was also a question about the measures to be taken to prevent today’s Genocides.

“One of the most important things which can be done to prevent massacres has been done by the Armenian Government for the recent 20 years”, answered Mr. Dieng adding that Armenia has always come up with the projects of Genocide prevention resolutions as a result of which in 1998, the Human Rights Commission adopted the resolution on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Convention, in 1999 and 2001 adopted the resolutions on the Prevention and Punishment of the crime of Genocide. Besides, in 2015, the Republic of Armenia came up with the initiative to set December 9 as the International Day for Commemoration of Genocide Victims and Prevention of the Crime of Genocide.

Summarizing the lecture, Mr. Adam Dieng mentioned, “You are not a rich country, you have neither oil or diamonds, but you have a diamond heart which is more important. You are humane, and you always care and feel sympathetic for the sufferings happening far away from Armenia”.

Mr. Dieng expressed hope that the lecture would be useful for the those who study Genocide.

The head of the Department of International Organizations of the MFA Vahram Kazhoyan made a historic review over the Global Forum “Against the Crime of Genocide” which has been held in Armenia for the third time.

The Senegalese lawyer Adama Dieng was appointed the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Prevention of Genocide in 2012. He participated in the foundation of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. For his diverse activity and great contribution, he was appointed Honorary Chairman of the World Justice Project (WJP) located in Washington.