The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime is annually observed across the globe on 9th December to mark the adoption of the “Genocide Convention” which focuses on the Prevention and punishment of Genocide, and to honour the victims of Genocide.
- 9th December 2024 marks the 76th anniversary of the “Genocide Convention”, the first human rights treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Background:
i.On 11th September 2015, the UNGA adopted a resolution A/RES/69/323, designated 9th December of each year as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.
ii.The first observance of the day was on 9th December 2015.
About Genocide Convention:
i.On 9th December 1948, the Genocide Convention was adopted by the UNGA by its resolution 260 A (III).
ii.The Convention came into effect on January 12, 1951, after 20 countries had ratified or joined it.
- As of February 2024, 153 countries have ratified the Convention.
iii.The Convention represents the international community’s pledge to the principle of “never again” and offers the first legal definition of “genocide” at the international level, which has been widely accepted both nationally and internationally.
What is Genocide?
i.The term “Genocide” was coined by Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin to describe efforts in the early 20th century to wipe out entire nations and ethnic groups, including during the Holocaust.
ii.It is a crime recognized worldwide with a specific legal meaning under international law in 1946 by the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA’s) resolution A/RES/96-I.
- The legal definition of “genocide,” which requires the intent to destroy a particular group, occurs less frequently than other serious crimes such as crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Prevention of Genocide:
A key responsibility is to gather information on situations that could pose a risk of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity, using the risk factors defined in the Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes.
Event 2024:
i.On December 9, 2024 ,the high-level event was held to mark the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime in the Trusteeship Council Chamber at the UN Headquarters (HQ) in New York, the United States of America (USA).
ii.The 2024 event occurs between two significant anniversaries.
- In April 2024, Rwanda commemorated 30 years since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
- In July 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina will mark 30 years since the 1995 Srebrenica genocide.
