Genocide Convention

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide

Civil & Political Rights Official Text

The Genocide Convention prohibits acts committed with intent to destroy national, ethnic, racial or religious groups, including killing members of the group or causing them serious harm. It protects everyone, including asylum seekers who may be fleeing genocide in their home countries. The UK ratified this treaty and must prevent genocide, punish those responsible, and cannot return refugees to countries where they face risk of genocide. However, enforcement is challenging as it relies on individual countries taking action and bringing cases to international courts, which happens rarely despite ongoing atrocities worldwide.