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European Union

EU Prioritizes Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, Combating Antisemitism

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The European Union is committed to preventing and punishing genocide, with a strong emphasis on early action and cooperation with international partners. Genocide is a grave crime that is prohibited under international law, and EU Member States are parties to the Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The EU has a robust strategy in place to combat antisemitism and intolerance, and has allocated significant funding to support projects tackling impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Genocide Convention provides the first international legal definition of genocide and establishes a duty for states to prevent and punish this crime.
  • All EU Member States are parties to the Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which includes genocide as one of the core crimes.
  • 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.
  • The EU's 2020-2027 Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy aims to combat intolerance, harassment, and violence based on ethnic origin, religion or belief.
  • The EU Genocide Network was established to facilitate cooperation between national authorities of Member States when investigating and prosecuting core international crimes.
  • The EU strategy on combating antisemitism aims to put the EU in the global lead in this area.
  • Member States are required to criminalise racist or xenophobic acts and public incitement to hatred, including online.

Statistics:

  • EUR 20 million: The amount allocated by the EU to the Global Initiative Against Impunity for projects tackling impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
  • 2020-2027: The time period during which the EU's Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy is in place.
  • 20 million euros: Source: [2] - https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-action-plan-human-rights-and-democracy-0_en.

Sources:

  • [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

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