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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Mr Dennis Francis,<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n 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<\/strong><\/p>\n Friday 8 December<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n [As Delivered]<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Excellencies,\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, we mark a profound achievement \u2013 the 75<\/span>th<\/span> anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This pivotal and landmark document \u2013 born from the ashes of a world scarred by the horrors of war \u2013 was a beacon of hope, and a testament to our collective commitment to a future secure and free from the stain\u00a0 and horror of genocide.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This Convention \u2013 adopted on December 9, 1948 \u2013 was a watershed moment signaling our determination to protect fundamental human rights.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It boldly codified the crime of genocide in international law, a stark acknowledgment that \u201cin all periods of history, genocide has inflicted great losses on humanity\u201d.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It constituted a solemn pledge of commitment to international cooperation \u201cto liberate humankind from the odious scourge of genocide\u201d, and to never again commit such atrocities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yet \u2013 despite these noble hopes and intentions \u2013 mankind has shown us the revolting and painful reality of these promises still being unfulfilled.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The tragedies in Rwanda in 1994 and in Srebrenica in 1995 are painful reminders that \u2013 since the adoption of the Convention \u2013 the international community has failed not once, but on multiple occasions, to prevent genocide;\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That the international community must do much more to prevent this crime and to fulfil the promise of \u2018Never Again\u2019.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (BRIEF PAUSE)\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, in our interconnected, digital world, new technologies have become both a bridge and a weapon.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Online hate speech \u2013 fueled by political and other motives such as we have experienced in recent weeks with the outbreak of the Gaza hostilities \u2013 has become a breeding ground for division, dissention and violence, and at its worst, has even fueled the commission of mass atrocities.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As such, no country or region is immune from the destructive forces of discrimination, prejudice, hate speech, and human rights violations.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The warning signs are clear and recognizable \u2013 and we must always proactively heed those signs.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The good news is that we know how to prevent these crimes \u2013 <\/span>and we can<\/span><\/b> \u2013 yet the bad news is that too often, we fail to act in time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We must accept that the imperative to prevent genocide is both a legal and moral obligation.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As the foundation of this responsibility, prevention must be prioritized and actioned \u2013 for intervention only becomes necessary, when prevention fails.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A crucial requirement in preventing genocide is the strengthening of accountability \u2013 which is not solely about justice for victims and punishment for perpetrators. Accountability also disincentivizes impunity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a community of nations, we must continue to stand resolutely on the right side of history \u2013 acknowledging mankind\u2019s potential for unrestrained evil, when the world hesitates to confront it.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the interest of all humanity, let us recommit to a future where genocide is a dark chapter relegated to the past.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I thank you.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Remarks of the President of the General Assembly<\/p>\r\n H.E Dennis Francis<\/p>\r\n GA plenary meeting on the Monday, 30 October 2023<\/p>\r\n As Delivered<\/i><\/i><\/p>\r\nPresident of the International Criminal Court, Judge Piotr Hofmanski,<\/i><\/i>\r\n\r\nExcellencies,<\/i>\r\n\r\nDistinguished Delegates,<\/i>\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/i>\r\n\r\nToday we gather to consider the annual report of the\u00a0International Criminal Court (ICC) \u2013 a\u00a0 critical pillar of the international legal order.\r\n\r\nThe ICC stands as a perennial symbol of our shared commitment to justice and humanity\u2019s greatest aspirations.\r\n\r\nIt serves as an emphatic reminder that\u00a0no one \u2013 I repeat, no one \u2013 should be exempt from accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community,\u00a0and that regardless of their status, position or location, perpetrators of such crimes will invariably face the weight of justice.\r\n\r\nIndeed, when it comes to the most egregious crimes against humanity,\u00a0 accountability knows no exceptions and justifiably so.\r\n\r\nIn those grave and heinous cases \u2013 when national legal systems prove unable or unwilling to bring perpetrators to justice \u2013 the ICC must step in.\r\n\r\nAccordingly, the ICC stands as a testament to our unshakeable resolve to end impunity, and moreover, to deter others from the commission of such crimes in the future.\r\n\r\nThe Court is indeed a truly unique embodiment of our collective resolution to upholding the principles of justice and accountability.\r\n\r\nI express my\u00a0 fulsome appreciation to the Court for its diligent efforts,\u00a0 as indeed to its judges and its prosecutor, as well as to the dedicated staff who have laudibly committed themselves to the pursuit of justice \u2013 and indeed, to what is\u00a0right<\/i>.\r\n\r\nThe report highlights both the progress and the challenges faced by the ICC this year, specifically as regards the prevention and punishment of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.\r\n\r\nThese principles are fundamental to our global vision of peace and are integral to our mission of maintaining international peace and security, promoting respect for human rights, and delivering justice to those who have suffered the gravest injustices.\r\n\r\nLadies and Gentlemen,<\/i>\r\n\r\nWe must acknowledge that the Court operates in a multifaceted international landscape.\r\n\r\nIts jurisdiction spans cases where state parties have brought situations to the attention of the Court, including situations referred by the United Nations Security Council.\r\n\r\nWhile it may present a unique set of challenges \u2013this duality in referral mechanisms underscores the importance of international cooperation.\r\n\r\nDespite these challenges, the hope for universal ratification of the Rome Statute, and the Kampala amendments, serve as a profound affirmation of the ICC's enduring commitment to justice.\r\n\r\nAs more countries join and support the ICC, the bold ambition of ending impunity for the most serious crimes becomes increasingly realistic to achieve.\r\n\r\nAs we engage in this discussion, let us remember the voices of the victims, whose suffering must compel us to take meaningful action.\r\n\r\nI underscore the\u00a0need for universal cooperation with the court among Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Member States in our common pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.\r\n\r\nI call upon States to support the ICC where it faces constraints in its pursuit of justice, including predictable funding to effectively undertake its investigations and prosecutions.\r\n\r\nIn line with the fundamental principle of complementarity, States should cooperate\u00a0with the ICC and with each other in investigations and prosecutions, including by sharing information and evidence to uphold the rule of law and ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes.\r\n\r\nLet us remain committed to strengthening the international legal framework and ensuring that the ICC continues to fulfill its essential role in our global efforts to prevent impunity and injustice and to promote lasting peace.\r\n\r\nI thank you and look forward to a fruitful discussion on this important matter.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-274649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
Report of the International Criminal Court,<\/p>\r\n