International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime 2025; December 9th.

FORUM:"Minute of Silence." International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime 2025. 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 77 years ago remains as relevant as ever. This year's mark the 77th 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 77 years ago remains as relevant as ever. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #GenocidePreventionDay, #9december, #genocide, #VictimsofGenocide, #PreventGenocide.

EVENT: On December 9th starting at 16:00, a High-Meeting to mark the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime will be held by the United Nations General Assembly at UNHQ. Register to participate and watch the event PART I and PART II !

High-level of the 77th International Day of Commemoration and Genocide Convention on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime.

Related Sites and Documents: Letter from the PGA &International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime

PART I - High-level meeting on the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime - General Assembly, 80th session

Live


General Assembly

Prevention of This Crime

High-level of the 77th International Day of Commemoration and Genocide Convention on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime.

Related Sites and Documents: Letter from the PGA &International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime

PART II -H igh-level meeting on the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime - General Assembly, 80th session. Live from the General Assembly.

STATEMENTS:

Statement of the UN Secretary-General on behalf the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime 2025; December 9th.


Genocide is an abomination. It is a horrendous crime. And it is the solemn duty of all States to prevent and punish it.

This is the pledge the world made with the adoption of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide – a pledge to ensure that no group risks eradication due to their nationality, ethnicity, race or religion.

We promised ‘never again’. Yet that vow is perilously close to being broken in too many places. Violent conflicts, lack of accountability, and digital technologies that amplify hate and misinformation all make it easier for the spectre of genocide to rear its head.

States bear the primary obligation for preventing and punishing genocide, and I call on governments that have not yet done so to accede to the Convention. I also urge all governments to fully implement the Convention and hold perpetrators to account.

But prevention is a shared responsibility. It requires educating new generations about the factors that lead to genocide, including hate speech, inequality and mis- and disinformation. It also means doing everything possible to identify early warning signs and sound the alarm. Community leaders, civil society, and the media – including social media platforms – all have a moral duty to act.

By standing united against this heinous crime, we honour its victims and survivors, and uphold the most fundamental promise of our international community: the right of all people to live in safety, dignity, and peace.

States bear the primary obligation for preventing and punishing genocide[...] I also urge all governments to fully implement the Convention and hold perpetrators to account."

António Guterres.

Letter from the President of the General Assembly on Invitation International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime 2025.

Excellency, Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 79/328, I have the honour to inform you that I will convene a high-level meeting of the General Assembly to mark the Tenth anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, at 10 a.m. in the General Assembly Hall. The high-level meeting will provide an opportunity to galvanize accelerated efforts on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide and will consist of an opening segment, which will feature an address by the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, and a plenary segment. The programme of the meeting will be circulated in due course. Delegations wishing to deliver statements at the plenary segment are invited to inscribe in the list of speakers through e-deleGATE portal, which will open on Thursday, 13 November 2025 at 10 a.m. The time limits for statements will be five minutes for individual delegations and seven minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of states. The time limit will be strictly enforced by means of automatic microphone cut-off. For any additional information, your Office may contact Ms. Anne Havn, Senior Advisor in my Office by email at anne.havn@un.org. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. 

Annalena Baerbock.

All Permanent Representatives and Permanent Observers to the United Nations New York

International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime 2022; December 9th.

FORUM: "The role of sports in atrocity prevention." International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime 2022.


Sport has historically been a key mechanism for bringing communities together across divides and can be an important vehicle for promoting positive messages that contribute to social inclusion and cohesion, strengthening understanding and respect for diversity and reducing stereotypes. Beyond its capacity to unite people at local, national, and global levels, sport is increasingly used as a vehicle to empower youth and women; improve wellbeing and health, support education and social development objectives; and strengthen the resilience of individuals and communities. Around the globe, the power of sport is being harnessed to support agendas for peace, development, and, increasingly, the prevention of risks of atrocity crimes.

Statement by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime 2022; December 9th.

Today is a day to remember and pay tribute to the victims and survivors of genocides across the world. It is a day to reexamine our collective failure to prevent this crime in the past, and to redouble prevention efforts for the present and the future.

More than 70 years after the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the threat of genocide remains present in many places around the world. Discrimination and hate speech, the early warning signs of genocide, are on the rise everywhere.

We must do more to promote strong political leadership and resolute action against these dangerous trends. We must do more to live up to our commitment to liberate humanity from the scourge of genocide.

I recently visited Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where I had the privilege of meeting survivors of atrocity crimes.

Their moving testimony was a forceful reminder of the individual suffering, pain and horror of genocide and atrocity crimes.

I call on every Member State to take concrete steps to protect communities at risk, including minorities, and address discrimination and persecution.

States have the primary obligation for preventing genocide, but religious and community leaders, civil society, the private sector and the media – including social media platforms, play an essential role.

On this International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide, I urge all stakeholders to use all means at their disposal to prevent and end this crime.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

EVENTS: This year’s event will be dedicated to the role of sports in promoting peace and inclusion and highlighting ways in which it can champion prevention of atrocity crimes through its work and outreach.

9 December 2022, 11:00am – 1:00pm EST

The event will be held in person at the United Nations Headquarters in New York at the Trusteeship Council Chambers. It will also be live webcasted on UNTV and include opening remarks, followed by an interactive panel discussion. The event is open to Member States, UN staff, civil society, media and the public. 

See the full programme and RSVP by Tuesday, 6 December 2022.

WEBINARS

Commemoration of the Genocide of Jews.

 

International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime 2021; December 9th

 9 December 2021 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 73rd 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.