The UN-sponsored 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, commonly referred to as the Genocide Convention, serves several key functions:
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Definition of Genocide: The Convention provides a clear definition of genocide, describing it as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. This definition includes various acts such as killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting living conditions calculated to bring about physical destruction, and imposing measures to prevent births within the group.
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Establishment of Responsibility: It establishes the responsibility of states to prevent and punish the crime of genocide. Signatory states are obligated to take measures to prevent genocide and to punish perpetrators of genocide, both in their own jurisdictions and internationally.
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International Cooperation: The Convention encourages international cooperation in the prevention and punishment of genocide, highlighting the global commitment to human rights and humanitarian law.
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Legal Framework: It provides a legal framework for prosecution and accountability, setting the groundwork for international criminal law and influencing the establishment of tribunals, such as the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court.
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Promotion of Awareness: The Genocide Convention serves to raise awareness about the gravity of genocide and the need for vigilance against it, aiming to foster a global culture of human rights and respect for diversity.
Overall, the Genocide Convention represents a significant step in international efforts to prevent mass atrocities and to hold individuals and states accountable for committing acts of genocide.