December 9 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Genocide

December 9 is the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Genocide, Honouring Their Dignity and Preventing This Crime.

Today, the Ukrainian and international community commemorates the innocent victims of crimes caused by ethnic and religious hatred. The United Nations approved this date in 2015 to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in 1948. The principal aim of this day is to draw attention to the problem of mass crimes against humanity, honour the memory of the victims, and urge the international community to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies in the future.

The Holodomor of 1932–1933, organised by the Soviet authorities, led to the deaths of millions of Ukrainians through man-made famine. This crime against our people is one of the most massive acts of genocide in world history.

Today, genocide in Ukraine is taking on new forms during the Russian aggression. The Russian authorities openly declare their denial of the Ukrainian people’s right to life: the Kremlin’s official propaganda calls Ukrainians a “non-existent people” or an “anti-Russian project.” The targeted destruction of Ukrainian culture, language, and identity, as well as war crimes against civilians, are all manifestations of genocide.

Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Canada, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Ireland have already recognised Putin’s current war as an act of genocide. Further recognition of Russian aggression as genocide will increase international pressure on Russia, help bring those responsible to justice, and prevent the repetition of such crimes.