International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide
A UN day honoring genocide victims and raising awareness of the Genocide Convention's role in preventing this crime.
Date9 December
TopicPeace & Safety
Established2015
Ways to observe this day
- Visit a memorial or exhibit documenting genocide victims
- Read a book or watch a documentary about a genocide tragedy
- Join a discussion or talk on preventing hate speech
- Support organizations documenting genocides and pursuing accountability
On September 29, 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 69/323, designating December 9 as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. The date marks the anniversary of the Assembly's 1948 adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the UN's first human rights treaty.
The day aims to raise awareness of the Genocide Convention and its role in preventing this crime, and to honor the memory of victims from Rwanda and Bosnia to Cambodia and other places that have suffered such tragedies. It also underscores the responsibility of states and the international community to act early to prevent such crimes from recurring.
Memorial events, academic discussions on the roots and prevention of genocide, and educational programs aimed at younger generations are held around the world to mark the day, often focused on rejecting hate speech and incitement, which frequently precede such crimes.
