UN chief urges action on genocide prevention convention

'In the aftermath of the Holocaust and Second World War, the world came together and adopted a convention to prevent genocide and punish those who commit this heinous crime,' said Antonio Guterres in a massage a copy of which obtained by the Islamic Republic News Agency through the United Nations Information Office in the Iranian capital on December 9.

December 9 is the 70th Anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.

'Seventy years later, the prevention of genocide remains a cardinal task for our time,' Guterres said in his message.

He launched an appeal for every country to ratify the Genocide Convention.

Urging the 45 remaining states to do so without delay, he said, 'At a time of rising anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and other forms of hatred, racism and xenophobia, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the equality and dignity of all.'

Message end/