Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,

Mr Dennis Francis,

event to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime

Friday 8 December

  

[As Delivered]

 

Excellencies,  

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

 

Today, we mark a profound achievement – the 75th anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.  

 

This pivotal and landmark document – born from the ashes of a world scarred by the horrors of war – was a beacon of hope, and a testament to our collective commitment to a future secure and free from the stain  and horror of genocide. 

 

This Convention – adopted on December 9, 1948 – was a watershed moment signaling our determination to protect fundamental human rights.  

 

It boldly codified the crime of genocide in international law, a stark acknowledgment that “in all periods of history, genocide has inflicted great losses on humanity”.  

 

It constituted a solemn pledge of commitment to international cooperation “to liberate humankind from the odious scourge of genocide”, and to never again commit such atrocities. 

 

 

Yet – despite these noble hopes and intentions – mankind has shown us the revolting and painful reality of these promises still being unfulfilled.  

 

The tragedies in Rwanda in 1994 and in Srebrenica in 1995 are painful reminders that – since the adoption of the Convention – the international community has failed not once, but on multiple occasions, to prevent genocide;  

 

That the international community must do much more to prevent this crime and to fulfil the promise of ‘Never Again’.  

 

(BRIEF PAUSE)  

 

Excellencies,  

 

Today, in our interconnected, digital world, new technologies have become both a bridge and a weapon.  

 

Online hate speech – fueled by political and other motives such as we have experienced in recent weeks with the outbreak of the Gaza hostilities – has become a breeding ground for division, dissention and violence, and at its worst, has even fueled the commission of mass atrocities.  

 

As such, no country or region is immune from the destructive forces of discrimination, prejudice, hate speech, and human rights violations.  

 

The warning signs are clear and recognizable – and we must always proactively heed those signs.  

 

The good news is that we know how to prevent these crimes – and we can – yet the bad news is that too often, we fail to act in time. 

 

We must accept that the imperative to prevent genocide is both a legal and moral obligation.  

 

We must however first understand the root causes, ready ourselves for collective action in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law and we must embrace and honour our collective duty as a community of nations, to protect vulnerable populations. 

 

As the foundation of this responsibility, prevention must be prioritized and actioned – for intervention only becomes necessary, when prevention fails.  

 

A crucial requirement in preventing genocide is the strengthening of accountability – which is not solely about justice for victims and punishment for perpetrators. Accountability also disincentivizes impunity.   

 

As a community of nations, we must continue to stand resolutely on the right side of history – acknowledging mankind’s potential for unrestrained evil, when the world hesitates to confront it.  

 

In the interest of all humanity, let us recommit to a future where genocide is a dark chapter relegated to the past. 

 

I thank you.