9 December 2020 marks the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, as well as the 72nd 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 Convention signifies the international community’s commitment to “never again” and provides the first international legal definition of “genocide,” widely adopted at national and international levels. It also establishes a duty for State Parties to prevent and punish the crime of genocide.
At UN Headquarters, a special event to mark this day is scheduled to take place online on 9 December from 11 am to 1 pm (EST). This year’s event, in line with the UN75 initiatives and commitments to promote peace and prevent conflicts, and the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire, and honouring the victims of genocide, aims at listening to their voices and discussing the impact of international justice responses, including criminal justice and reparations, on empowering victims and preventing further atrocity crimes. International judges and experts will also share their experiences in granting justice for victims of genocide and related crimes, in the pursuit of peace and stability and preventing the recurrence of these crimes. Register for the event.