PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly by the resolution A/RES/69/323 established 9 December as International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. in order to raise awareness of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and its role in combating and preventing the crime of genocide, as defined in the Convention, and to commemorate and honour its victims. This year the United Nations will celebrate the ‘Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide’, adopted in December 1948. It is time to recognize the man behind this landmark in international law. Genocide often occurs in societies in which different national, racial, ethnic or religious groups become locked in identity-related conflicts. However, it is not the differences in identity per se that generate conflict, but rather the gross inequalities associated with those differences, in terms of access to power and resources, social services, development opportunities and the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms. However, the international community has a responsibility to encourage and assist States in fulfilling this responsibility, and to use appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian and other means to protect populations from these crimes. If a State is manifestly failing to protect its populations, the international community must be prepared to take collective action to protect populations, in accordance with the UN Charter.
FORUM: "A Living Force in World Society: The Legacy of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide." International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime 2023. This year's event to mark the 75th anniversary of the Genocide Convention will seek to highlight achievements that emanate from the Convention, to showcase its legacy, and also reflect on the challenges that remain for its effective implementation. Around the world, populations remain at risk of this crime. The need to invest in prevention as envisaged by the Convention drafters 75 years ago remains as relevant as ever. The event, therefore, will also seek to showcase the work of champions of prevention and their tireless efforts to protect populations from the scourge of genocide. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #GenocidePreventionDay, #9december, #genocide, #VictimsofGenocide, #PreventGenocide.
EVENT: On Friday, December 8th, from 11:00 to 10:00 PM (EST) at the United Nations Trusteeship Chamber UNHQ, We will mark the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime 2023, as well as the 75rd anniversary of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”), the first human rights treaty adopted by the General Assembly. The event will build upon a series of expert consultations and meetings convened by the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide in the lead up to the December 9th event, as well as an info-campaign from the United Nations archives, which seek to explore in detail the impact of the Convention in the fields of accountability, protection and prevention. The Global event will feature opening remarks by United Nations Secretary-General, the President of the 77th session of the General Assembly and the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, followed by an interactive dialogue; Remarks will also be made by member states, representing regional groups.
PODCASTS: A call for a form of memorialization. This month, it is important that we all learn about the stages that lead to Genocide. Let’s reaffirm the significance of the Convention, as an effective international instrument for the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, Listen to the audio-podcasts.
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: "A Living Force in World Society: The Legacy of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide" campaign seeks to highlight the importance of genocide-related risk factors and early warning signs to the obligation to prevent, and strengthen understanding of the legal norms of international human rights and humanitarian law that are relevant to preventing genocide. Get the communication materials.
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERS
The International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime is co-organized by United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the United Nations Member States, the United Nations permanent Observers, the States Parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the organizations of the United Nations system, the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the U.N. Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect. With the participation of international and regional organizations, the civil society organizations, the non-governmental organizations, Academics and individuals.
Valuing the engagement of those who work to prevent the crime of genocide.
Reiterate the responsibility of each individual State to protect its populations from genocide.
Educate the public to enhance their understanding of the root causes of genocide and genocidal conflicts,, current threats.
Strengthen the capacity to prevent genocide through outreach to policy makers and opinion shapers
Invest in research and expertise to understand the causes of genocide and how to prevent it
Promote justice and accountability efforts for communities affected by genocide or mass atrocities
The United Nations General Assembly by the resolution A/RES/69/323 guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and other relevant international instruments, have designated December 9th as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime, to raise awareness of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and its role in combating and preventing the crime of genocide, as defined in the Convention, and to commemorate and honour its victims.
The day also celebrate the role of the victims of and others affected by the crime of genocide plays in the prevention of genocide.
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