On Friday, 8 December the Legal Counsel participated in the event to mark the 69th Anniversary of the Genocide Convention and the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the prevention of this crime.  Representing the Secretary-General, Mr. Serpa Soares, delivered opening remarks.

This event also launched a 1-year appeal for the universal ratification of the Genocide Convention. During his address Mr. Serpa Soares recalled the legal history of the Convention, and highlighted some of the most important characteristics of this crime, whose prevention and punishment “does not allow for exceptions and is the responsibility of the international community as a whole”. The Legal Counsel also reiterated the Secretary-General’s appeal for the universal ratification of the Genocide Convention by its 70th anniversary in 2018, and called upon all States who have yet to ratify the Genocide Convention to do so, in order to join in the fight against the “crime of crimes”.