Tenth Anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime

The Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities (AIPG) observes December 9 as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and the Prevention of this Crime. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 through Resolution 69/323, this annual observance underscores how memorializing victims helps prevent future genocides.

This year marks the tenth anniversary  of the International Day. In September 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/79/328, expressing concern that despite international efforts, thousands continue to fall victim to genocide. The Resolution called for a full-day high-level meeting to mark the anniversary and accelerate prevention and accountability efforts. This gathering will provide a critical platform for Member States, international organizations, and civil society to dialogue on prevention strategies, reaffirm human rights commitments, and strengthen multilateral cooperation.

The anniversary offers a pivotal moment to evaluate progress, address persistent challenges, and renew collective resolve to confront atrocity risks. It presents an opportunity to reinforce dedication to international human rights frameworks and counter emerging threats through education, robust early warning systems, and effective implementation of international law.

Sustained education, meaningful memorialization, and deepened international cooperation are strengthening the foundations needed to interrupt cycles of violence and protect vulnerable populations. Lessons from past atrocities, combined with innovative prevention approaches, demonstrate that coordinated action yields tangible results.

Commemoration initiatives directly support the dual obligations established by the Genocide Convention: prevention and punishment. By advancing truth-telling and healing, cultivating peace education and social cohesion, preserving historical records and testimonies, and combating genocide denial and the glorification of war criminals, these efforts contribute substantially to both mandates.

At AIPG, we remain committed to preventing genocide and mass atrocities through collaboration. By partnering with scholars and civil society leaders, we equip governments, policymakers, and law enforcement agencies with the expertise and resources to address these challenges. We center education and memorialization in our work, providing technical support and capacity-building programs that implement prevention strategies across every region we serve—advancing toward a future where the lessons of the past guide our shared responsibility.

Regarding the crucial role of education and partnerships in the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities, Paula Alves, Program Officer of the Warren Educational Policies Program, explained:

While the world continues to face crises that test our social fabric — from ongoing conflicts and democratic erosion to climate-related displacement and the rise of hate-fueled narratives — the imperative of prevention remains as urgent as ever. At the Auschwitz Institute’s Warren Educational Policies Program (WEPP), we believe that education is not only a response to these challenges but a tool for transformation. By working with teachers, students, and public institutions worldwide, WEPP supports the development of critical thinking, empathy, and democratic engagement — essential elements that counter division and prevent identity-based violence. On this day, we honor the victims of genocide by renewing our commitment to education as a path toward justice and dignity — and to building societies where “never again” becomes a lived reality.

In reflecting on the importance of this commemorative date, and specifically under the current circumstances of the Latin America region, Nehuen D'Adam, Administrative Officer of the Latin American Program, highlighted the significance of the day:

The International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime reminds us that memory must always be accompanied by action. In 2025, in a world marked by growing armed conflicts, democratic backsliding, and hate speech, honoring the victims means renewing our commitment to preventing atrocities and all forms of identity-based violence.

In Latin America, this call is especially significant in the face of rising social tensions, structural inequalities, and increasingly deep polarization—factors that continue to endanger fundamental rights and erode our communities. That is why I believe that strengthening our institutions and promoting truly inclusive public policies is essential to reduce risks, protect the most vulnerable populations, and work with responsibility and humanity to honor the victims of the past and present, and to ensure that these crimes are never again repeated.

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