No statute of limitations on Armenian genocide, scholar Says

The genocide of Armenians in Turkey in 1915-23 remains alive as a matter of law, Alfred de Zayas, the former secretary of the UN Commission on Human Rights and an expert on international law, said in a lecture at the Armenian Community Center here. As reported by Arminfo news agency, Dr. de Zayas asserted that Turkey's obligation to pay compensation for damages inflicted by the genocide also is not subject to a statute of limitations. He noted that the UN Convention on Genocide, adopted in 1948, specifically recognized the Armenian genocide of 1915-23 and calls for compensation by Turkey.

De Zayas has taught international law at several European and North American universities. He recently retired after serving as secretary of the UN commission for 22 years. He is a member of the American Society for International Law and the International Association on Criminal Law.