International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/69/323
About International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime
The International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime is observed on 9 December. It honours victims of genocide while emphasizing prevention, accountability and awareness of the Genocide Convention.
The day combines remembrance of past crimes with the forward-looking responsibility to recognize risk factors, prevent genocide and uphold international law.
Why International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime matters
Commemoration can support prevention when it preserves evidence, centres the dignity of victims, challenges denial and helps societies understand how targeted violence develops.
The observance should not be used to casually label every atrocity or conflict as genocide. The term has a specific legal definition in the Genocide Convention and international law.
History of International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime
On 27 March 2015, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution A/HRC/RES/28/34 and recommended that the General Assembly designate 9 December as an international day of commemoration and prevention.
On 11 September 2015, the General Assembly adopted A/RES/69/323 and proclaimed 9 December as the International Day.
The first observance took place on 9 December 2015. The date also marks the anniversary of the General Assembly’s adoption of the Genocide Convention on 9 December 1948. The UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect organizes annual events for the Day.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Human Rights Council recommendation to designate 9 December
A/HRC/RES/28/34 recommended that the General Assembly designate 9 December; the General Assembly then created the International Day through A/RES/69/323 in September 2015.
United Nations Human Rights Council
Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC/RES/28/34 recommended that the General Assembly designate 9 December as the International Day.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/69/323
First documented observance
UN sources explicitly identify 9 December 2015 as the first observance of the International Day.
United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect
The UN observance page states that the Office organizes events every year to mark the International Day.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
2 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
Also known as
Genocide Prevention Day
How to Observe International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime
Use the Genocide Convention and UN genocide-prevention resources to understand the legal definition rather than relying on rhetorical use of the term.
Centre victims and survivors with dignity and avoid graphic material that is not necessary for education.
Study warning signs, prevention mechanisms and accountability alongside historical commemoration.
Distinguish verified findings by competent courts or commissions from allegations that remain disputed or under investigation.
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime Facts
The Day is observed on 9 December.
The Human Rights Council recommended the designation in March 2015.
A/RES/69/323 was adopted on 11 September 2015.
The first observance was held on 9 December 2015.
9 December is the anniversary of the 1948 adoption of the Genocide Convention.
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime Messages
Remembering on International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime means listening carefully, resisting distortion and carrying the lessons of history forward.
On International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, may memory lead to responsibility, empathy and thoughtful action.
May this International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime honour those at its heart through sincere remembrance rather than empty words.
On International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, we remember with dignity and make space for the people, families and communities whose experiences must not be forgotten.
May International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime be marked with reflection, respect and a renewed commitment to protect human dignity.
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime Quotes
“Genocide is an abomination. It is a horrendous crime. And it is the solemn duty of all States to prevent and punish it.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
OHCHR / United Nations — A/HRC/RES/28/34 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/69/323 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day page (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — first observance statement (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Genocide Prevention Day (opens in a new tab)
Intergovernmental
United Nations — List of International Days and Weeks (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Observances: who chooses them and how (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — past observances (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime?
9 December The documented recurrence rule is: 9 December.
Does International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations / international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as United Nations Human Rights Council. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect.
Is International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations / international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When was the Genocide Victims and Prevention Day established?
The General Assembly adopted A/RES/69/323 on 11 September 2015 after a Human Rights Council recommendation earlier that year.
Why is it observed on 9 December?
9 December is the anniversary of the General Assembly’s adoption of the Genocide Convention in 1948.
When was the first observance?
United Nations sources identify 9 December 2015 as the first observance.
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