Source: European Parliament
The ‘Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide’ provided the first international legal definition of genocide and establishes a duty for states to prevent and punish this crime. All Member States are parties to the Genocide Convention.
All Member States are also Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which includes genocide as one of the core crimes.
The EU has the strengthening of human rights at its very core, including with regard to genocide and crimes against humanity. This is both an internal and external priority, remaining high on the agenda of the EU’s foreign and security policy.
The best point of departure is early action. The EU works together with the United Nations and partners around the globe to strengthen the global protection of human rights and address early warning signs that could point to genocidal behaviours.
Member States are required to criminalise racist or xenophobic acts and public incitement to hatred, including online. The EU’s strategy on combating antisemitism[1] aims to put the EU in the global lead in this area.
Through its 2020-2027 Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy[2], the EU aims to combat intolerance, harassment, and violence based on ethnic origin, religion or belief.
To date, the EU has allocated EUR 20 million to the Global Initiative Against Impunity, funding projects tackling impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It includes specific support to the work of the EU Genocide Network.
This network was established to facilitate cooperation between national authorities of Member States when investigating and prosecuting core international crimes.
- [1] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/combatting-discrimination/racism-and-xenophobia/combating-antisemitism/eu-strategy-combating-antisemitism-and-fostering-jewish-life-2021-2030/about-eu-strategy_en.
- [2] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-action-plan-human-rights-and-democracy-0_en.