YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenia values the recent initiatives that call on the equal application of the pan-European human rights instruments to the whole continent without distinction, including in the conflict zones, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian said at the 127th Session of the Committee of the Ministers of the Council of Europe.

He congratulated Ioannis Kasoulidis on successful chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers.

“The priorities of the Cyprus Chairmanship were well placed to address the current challenges that the Europe faces. Protection of cultural heritage in particular is important for the Armenian people that have suffered immense losses of cultural legacy throughout its history and most recently in Azerbaijan by the hands of its government and in Syria by the terrorist groups. In this regard we welcome the adoption of the Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property”, the minister said.

As another priority of the Cypriot chairmanship, the FM pointed out Democracy through Education, important dimension of fostering inclusive and tolerant societies.

“The right of people to their memory, their right to teaching and learning history of past tragedies through education and remembrance has a pivotal role in preventing genocides and crimes against humanity”, Nalbandian said.

“It is commendable that in his annual report on the “State of Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law” the Secretary General has highlighted populism, which is particularly dangerous, when combined with state sponsored hate speech and xenophobia. Free media, education for democratic citizenship and human rights, active civil society are essential in overcoming this phenomenon. Moreover, the notion of “rule of law” represents a concept that is diametrically opposed to “the rule by force” or “use of force”, the FM said.

“We value the recent initiatives that call on the equal application of the pan-European human rights instruments to the whole continent without distinction, including in the conflict zones. It is the primary goal of Council of Europe to ensure that the common values and individual rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights are not dependent on the status of the territory where people live”, he added.