United Nations, New York – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated on Tuesday that genocide is a heinous crime, emphasizing the critical need for all nations to actively prevent such atrocities and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
Speaking from the UN headquarters, Guterres underscored the international community’s shared responsibility in safeguarding populations from the scourge of genocide. He highlighted that the prevention of genocide requires a multi-faceted approach, encompassing early warning systems, addressing root causes of conflict and discrimination, and strengthening national and international legal frameworks.
“Genocide is not merely a historical event; it remains a present danger,” Guterres warned. “We must remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and addressing the risk factors that can lead to such horrors.”
The Secretary-General called upon member states to strengthen their commitment to the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle, which affirms the international community’s obligation to intervene when a state fails to protect its own population from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.
Furthermore, Guterres emphasized the importance of accountability for those responsible for committing genocide. He urged states to cooperate with international tribunals and courts, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. Failure to do so, he argued, would not only deny justice to victims but also embolden others to commit similar crimes in the future.
The Secretary-General’s remarks serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of genocide and the urgent need for concerted global action to prevent and punish this gravest of crimes. He concluded by reiterating the UN’s unwavering commitment to working with member states and civil society organizations to build a world free from genocide.
