Yerevan has all the prerequisites to become an international center for genocide studies. This is what editor-in-chief of Lebanon’s Aztag Daily and vice-chairman of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Lebanon Central Committee Shahan Kantaharian mentioned in an interview with “Armenpress”, touching upon Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan’s proposal to create an International Center for Genocide Studies.

 “I welcome the proposal. Many contacts were established in several areas on the sidelines of the events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Yerevan saw a flow of politicians and diplomatic representatives from various countries. Yerevan hosted a global media forum and the subsequent congress of the International Association of Genocide Scholars. We need to fully use the contacts and potential. Yerevan has all the prerequisites to become an international center for genocide studies and research,” Shahan Kantaharian said.

In this context, Shahan Kantaharian attached importance to the consolidation of circles of academics, researchers and analysts that are adjunct to Armenian Genocide museums and the creation of a network structure. According to him, if such a network structure is put into action the right way, Armenia can become a major global center for genocide studies. “This implies studies on not only the Armenian Genocide, but other genocides as well. In contemporary genocide studies, importance is attached to the comparison between genocides of all periods,” Shahan Kantaharian said. According to him, with such actions, the issue of the Armenian Genocide is becoming internationalized and an issue concerning mankind. Out of the major steps, Shahan Kantaharian set aside the UN Resolution that was adopted through the efforts of Armenia, according to which 9 December was declared as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.”

According to Kantaharian, this was a very major political action. Minister Hranush Hakobyan participated in the final forum of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Near East and Middle East Regional Committee in Lebanon. Talking about the future actions, she mentioned that the efforts need to continue in all directions with more momentum and more energy and through the combination of the experience gained and the available resources. According to her, the proposal of the President of the Republic of Armenia to reinforce the “Never Again” movement and turn Armenia into the frontrunner in the international platform of genocides can be objectified through the creation of an International Center for Genocide Studies, which will deal with studying legal, historical and international issues.