Statement by Ambassador Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia, at the UNGA79 Sixth Committee under the agenda item 80, entitled 'Crimes against humanity'

Mr. Chair,

Crimes against humanity constitute the gravest threats to human rights and a fundamental assault on the values, ideals, and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Despite the harrowing lessons of the past, these crimes continue to persist, exacerbated by the ongoing crises and the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian landscape. Whether in the form of military violence, starvation, or mass displacement, such crimes strike at the very heart of efforts to protect civilian populations and uphold the rule of law.

Armenia condemns crimes against humanity, viewing them not only as massive violations of international law but also as a critical failure to fulfill the collective duty to prevent and punish acts that "shock the conscience of humanity." To effectively combat such crimes, it is crucial to uphold the resolve of protecting the fundamental rights and dignity of all individuals and of bringing an end to atrocities, wherever they occur.

In reaffirming this commitment, Armenia remains deeply mindful of the historical context that has shaped the term "crimes against humanity" as the label for a category of international crime. Armenia's own history continues to stand as a stark reminder of the international community's failure to prevent the horrors of genocide, a failure that was exacerbated by the absence of preventive mechanisms and the breakdown of the international order at the time. Much like in the past, the ability of the international community to properly identify and react to atrocities is still being considerably challenged today.

Mr. Chair,

Prevention of atrocities, in line with the principle of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), must remain central to all efforts, establishing a positive obligation on states to implement necessary measures to avert crimes against humanity. As the main sponsor of the biennial resolution on the Prevention of Genocide, traditionally adopted by consensus at the Human Rights Council, Armenia is committed to strengthening preventive mechanisms, particularly by countering policies rooted in discrimination, intolerance, and hate speech. In December, Armenia will host the Fifth Global Forum against the Crime of Genocide, co-organized with the Office of the Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, in close cooperation with the International Association of Genocide Scholars, and the Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAMAAC). This year's forum, themed "Strengthening the Effectiveness of International Mechanisms for Early Warning and Early Response" aims to facilitate dialogue on methods and strategies of prevention of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Armenia is committed to reinforcing frameworks for the effective protection of human rights and accountability and supports efforts to strengthen the international legal system to this end. Earlier this year, Armenia became member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in demonstration of our country's steadfast commitment to upholding justice and accountability.

Mr. Chair,

Armenia has welcomed the discussions on the draft articles on prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity, having actively participated in the deliberations during the resumed sessions of the Sixth Committee. We share the view that a dedicated convention on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity will be essential in addressing the significant gaps in both international and domestic legal systems. By complementing the existing frameworks, including the Genocide Convention, the Geneva Conventions, and the Rome Statute, it will create universal obligations and strengthen global efforts to prevent and punish such crimes.

The adoption of a new convention will strengthen the global consensus by delivering a message of unity from the international community that unequivocally rejects atrocities. It will also uphold the imperative that victims of such crimes must have access to justice and that crimes against humanity carry no statute of limitation.

If history has demonstrated anything, it is that crimes left unpunished only lead to their further recurrence. This reality highlights the urgent need for a strong legal framework for cooperation, to which Armenia is fully committed.

I thank you.