An Analysis and Proposals in connection with the 60th Anniversary of the Document’s Entry into Force
Summary
Armen Ts. Marukyan
The United Nation’s Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide came into force during the Cold war. Thereby it is not accidental that at the time of the convention’s adoption the United States of America and the USSR were, in reality, not trying to create preventative measures and to outline real punishment for the given crime through an internationally binding document, but rather they were trying to turn the convention into a tool to use against their opponent. As a result, many important provisions were left out of the document, and the Convention was turned into a simple document of mutual concession between the U.S. and the USSR. However, notwithstanding all the shortcomings, the adoption of the Convention was a serious step forward for international law. Presently the Republic of Armenia as a signatory to the Convention, and using the provisions in that document as a foundation, can present a proposal for amendments and additions and in doing so try to make it a more productive tool for the eradication of the consequences of the Armenian Genocide.