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: "Remembrance and Prevention: The role of commemoration and memory for the prevention of Genocide." International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime 2024. Commemoration and memorialization initiatives are inextricably linked to the two obligations set forth by the Genocide Convention, namely, the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide. By promoting truth-telling and healing, fostering a culture of peace education, social cohesion and respect for diversity, keeping a record of the past and collecting testimonies of victims and survivors, establishing and maintaining archives, and contributing to reducing instances of genocide denial and glorification of war criminals, such efforts significantly contribute to the implementation of these two key obligations. The need to invest in genocide prevention, as envisaged by the Genocide Convention drafters 76 years ago remains as relevant as ever. This year's mark the 76th anniversary of the Genocide Convention, the day seeks 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. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #GenocidePreventionDay, #9december, #genocide, #VictimsofGenocide, #PreventGenocide.
EVENT: On Friday, December 9th, 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 2024, as well as the 76th 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 high-level event will be held in person at the United Nations Headquarters in New York at the Trusteeship Council Chamber. It will also be live webcasted on UNTV. It will include opening remarks, followed by a panel discussion and statements from regional groups of Member States. The event is open to Member States, UN staff, civil society, media and the public. 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 78th 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. This year’s event takes place in between two landmark commemorations. In April 2024, Rwanda marked 30 years since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. In July 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina will mark 30 years since the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. Thus, the event will be dedicated to the role of commemoration and memorialization efforts not only to honor the victims and survivors of genocide, but also as effective mechanisms for the prevention of future genocides. It will focus on the experiences of Rwanda and Bosnia and Herzegovina to explore the ways in which commemoration and memory of past genocides serve as an essential component of prevention. See the official invitation, register to participate and watch the event on UN WebTV.
STATEMENT: Read the Statement of United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of Commemoration & Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide & the Prevention of this Crime 2024; December 9th.
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: The 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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