Genocide Prevention Day

Genocide Prevention Day History

Genocide Prevention Day, also known as the International Day of Reflection on the Prevention of Genocide, aims to remind the world of the importance of learning from past genocides and preventing such heinous acts from ever happening again. This observance honours the victims of these horrendous crimes and highlights the importance of safeguarding human dignity and ensuring the protection of all groups from persecution. It calls for international collaboration and awareness, promoting the notion that all individuals, groups, and nations share the responsibility of preventing genocide.

The United Nations first established Genocide Prevention Day in 2005 in response to the UN General Assembly's resolution that designated 9 December as the day to commemorate the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. For the people in the United Kingdom, this observance holds significance due to the country's involvement in international efforts to combat genocide, such as peace-keeping missions, humanitarian interventions, and advocating for accountability and justice for perpetrators at a global level. The UK actively supports the institutions responsible for upholding the Genocide Convention, including international courts and tribunals.

Across the United Kingdom, Genocide Prevention Day is marked by various events and activities, including educational programs, commemorative ceremonies, and discussion panels, which tend to raise awareness about the importance of genocide prevention. Schools, universities, and other institutions partake in promoting dialogue and understanding of this issue. Furthermore, the UK government supports and cooperates with initiatives to prevent and respond to genocide, including those led by the United Nations. By observing Genocide Prevention Day, the United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to the shared global responsibility of stopping these atrocities and promoting a more peaceful and inclusive world.

Genocide Prevention Day facts

• According to the U.N High Commissioner for Refugees agency, over 68 million people around the world are displaced due to conflict and persecution.
• The word genocide was created in 1944 by lawyer Raphael Lemkin. It comes from the Greek word genos, meaning family, tribe, or race, and the Latin suffix –cide, meaning killing.
• The Genocide Convention defines genocide as any of the following acts:
  a) Killing members of a group
  b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of a group
  c) Deliberately inflicting on a group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
  d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within a group
  e) Forcibly transferring children of a group to another group
• In 1970, the United Kingdom ratified the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which commits countries to prevent and punish genocide as a crime under international law.
• The UK uses intelligence and diplomatic channels to gather information on potential risks and early warning signs, and has established a dedicated R2P focal point within the FCDO, responsible for assessing risks of mass atrocities and facilitating policy discussions.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Genocide Prevention Day

Top things to do in the UK for Genocide Prevention Day

• Learn the history of genocidal events to help prevent future incidents. There have been efforts to deny or rewrite history regarding genocidal events, most notably by the Turkish government. They have continued to deny their part in the Armenian genocide. Attempts to deny responsibility or alter reality allow oppressive regimes to continue unabated and it opens the door for future incidents to occur.
• Write letters or email your local representatives, Members of Parliament, and government officials, urging them to prioritize their efforts in preventing genocide and supporting initiatives aimed at human rights protection.
• Participate in local or national events organized to remember victims of genocide. These may include candlelight vigils, memorial services, or exhibitions dedicated to educating about genocide.