The National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide is organizing a Conference on the 61st anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on prevention and punishment of the Genocide by The United Nations.

CONVENTION ON PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF GENOCIDE 61ST ANNIVERSARY
Kigali, Rwanda: 8th December 2009
Venue: Mille Collines Hotel
Theme: “The legacy of UN Convention on prevention and punishment of the crime of Genocide”

Time	Activities	Comments/Moderator
8th dec 2009	Official Opening Presentations and discussions Closing ceremony Luncheon	Chief Moderator
0800 hrs-08.30hrs	Registration of participants	CNLG
08.30 hrs-09.00 hrs	Opening Session: Welcome statement by Hon. Mucyo Jean de Dieu Welcome statement by Prof. Kanimba Misago Celestin, President of the CNLG Opening Statement by Hon. Minister of Sports and Culture	CNLG
09.00 hrs-09.20 hrs	Teaching Conventions and other International Human Rights Instruments at school; by Minister of Education	CNLG
09.20 hrs-09.40 hrs	Media and International Human Rights Instruments; by Minister of Information
09.40 hrs-10.40 hrs	General discussion
10.40 hrs-11.15hrs	Tea/coffee break
11.15 hrs-11.20 hrs	UN Convention and the punishment of the crime of genocide; by General Prosecutor
11.20 hrs-11.40 hrs	The state of Human Rights in Rwanda with special reference to UN Convention on genocide; by President of the National Commission for Human Rights	CNLG
11.40 hrs- 12.00 hrs	UN Convention and the International criminal tribunal for Rwanda; by ICTR Representative.	CNLG
12.00 hrs -13.00 hrs	General discussion Resolutions	CNLG
13.00 hrs – 14. 00 hrs	Lunch	CNLG

61St ANNIVERSARY OF THE UN CONVENTION ON GENOCIDE
9th December 1948- 9th December 2009

Theme: “The legacy of the UN Convention on the prevention and punishment of Genocide”
The Convention on genocide was adopted on 9th December 1948 and entered into force on 12th January 1951. Rwanda signed the said Convention on 16th April 1975, but it expressed its reservation on article 9 which was later removed on 15 December 2008.
The Convention on genocide was one of the first conventions of the United Nations to deal with humanitarian problems. It was adopted in response to the atrocities committed during the Second World War, and was in response to Resolution 180(II) of the General Assembly of 21st December 1947, in which the United Nations recognized that "the crime of genocide is an international crime which entails national and international responsibilities for individuals and for States." Since then, this Convention has been widely accepted by the international community and ratified by the vast majority of States.
Despite its existence, the Convention has not succeeded in preventing genocide, even though its duty to do so is stipulated in the treaty.
In the case of Rwanda, innumerable inexplicable atrocities were committed before a single measure was taken under the Convention.
In this sense, Rwanda has put in place various mechanisms for the prevention and suppression of genocide and its ideology, in particular by organizing an ongoing reflection on the genocide, its consequences, prevention strategies and its eradication. Clubs to combat genocide called ICYIZERE (Hope) are being created in schools and outside schools.
The international day dedicated to the Convention on the prevention and suppression of genocide is an opportunity for all the Member States to take measures to protect the rights of the person, the respect of the memory of the victims of genocide, and the advocacy for the cause of the survivors of genocide in their countries.
In effect, genocide is the symbol of international failure in Rwanda and a warning to international leaders of consequences associated with the tolerance of ideas which spread hatred and the risk of not protecting the population against the consequences of genocide.
States should adopt firm and appropriate measures to forever prevent genocide from being perpetrated by the human race.
In view of the celebrations of the 61st anniversary of the Convention on the prevention and suppression of genocide, CNLG is organizing a Conference which will take place on 8th December 2009 in Kigali and whose theme will be, the legacy of the Convention on the prevention and suppression of genocide.
It will highlight three aspects:

For more details, consult the Commission’s internet site : www.rwandagenocide15.org
MUCYO Jean de Dieu
Executive Scretary