UN marks 10th anniversary of day of genocide prevention and commemoration
The United Nations General Assembly convened a high-level meeting on Tuesday to enhance efforts in combating genocide and other atrocities against humanity, with the aim of preventing the recurrence of such crimes.
The United Nations General Assembly convened a high-level meeting on Tuesday to enhance efforts in combating genocide and other atrocities against humanity, with the aim of preventing the recurrence of such crimes.
This year marks 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, observed annually on 9 December.
During the meeting, Chaloka Beyani, the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, highlighted the substantial work still required by UN member states to counter ideologies and acts of genocide.
Beyani stated, "We must critically ask ourselves whether everything is being done to prevent the commission of the gravest of crimes. The answer seems to be sufficiently obvious: more needs to be done. More efforts are necessary when serious allegations of the commission of the crime of genocide are reaching us in this General Assembly Hall, when risk factors and indicators of this crime point to the foreseeability of the likelihood of genocide."
Beyani stated, "We must critically ask ourselves whether everything is being done to prevent the commission of the gravest of crimes.
Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, noted that wars and conflicts continue in various regions, with the impacts of genocide still deeply felt. He warned that the dangers of racism, violence, and hatred remain significant.
Sun added that translating the spirit of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide into reality remains a formidable and long-term task for the international community.
"Remembering history is not about perpetuating hatred, but about awakening people's commitment to peace and conscience. Certain countries have continuously sought to whitewash Nazi history of aggression and deny its war crimes and crimes against humanity. This not only constitutes a gross trampling of international justice but also a blatant challenge to the post-war international order. China firmly opposes this," Sun stated.
Based on reporting by Africanews.