United Nations, Dec 9 (Prensa Latina) United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres today called on countries to do more to meet their commitment to rid humanity of the scourge of genocide.
In a message marking the International Day of Remembrance and Dignity of Victims of Genocide and the Prevention of this Crime, the headline called for “promoting firm political leadership and decisive action.”
“Today is a day to remember and honor victims and survivors around the world, to review our collective failure to prevent past eradication, and to redouble efforts to prevent it now and in the future,” he said the diplomat in a statement.
He added that more than 70 years after the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was passed, the threat of the scourge is still present in many places.
In this sense, the Secretary-General mentioned that discrimination and incitement to hatred, first signs of this type of massacre, are increasing.
For this reason, he called on all UN member states to take concrete measures to protect vulnerable communities, especially minorities, and to counteract discrimination and persecution.
While nations have a primary duty to prevent genocide, religious and local leaders, civil society, the private sector and the media all have essential roles to play, Guterres stressed.
In a 2015 resolution, the United Nations General Assembly declared December 9 the International Day of Remembrance and Dignity of Victims of Genocide and the Prevention of this Crime.
This 2022 anniversary is dedicated to the role of sport in promoting peace and inclusion and its support in preventing atrocities.
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