76th anniversary of Genocide Convention: UN chief warns of genocide threat amid Israel offensive on Gaza
UN chief Antonio Guterres
Today marks 76 years since the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, a landmark international treaty aimed at eradicating the most heinous crimes against humanity.
On this occasion, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for intensified global efforts to prevent genocide and combat its root causes.
“Yet, in a world plagued by division and violence, the dark spectre of genocide is still with us,” Guterres remarked in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the ongoing risks posed by societal divides and conflicts.
The Secretary-General’s call to action comes amid increasing global attention to potential and ongoing atrocities.
His statement comes just days after Amnesty International declared Israel’s action in Gaza during its ongoing offensive as genocide against Palestinians.
This stark accusation has fueled debate about the need for robust international mechanisms to ensure accountability for actions deemed to violate international law.
Adopted in 1948 in the aftermath of the Holocaust, the Genocide Convention remains a cornerstone of international law, defining genocide and establishing states’ responsibilities to prevent and punish the crime.
Despite its significance, the persistence of genocidal acts in various regions exposes gaps in enforcement and the political will required to act decisively.
