NEW YORK: Kuwait affirmed on Tuesday that the prevention of genocide begins with strengthening the rule of law, ensuring accountability, establishing early warning mechanisms, and combating all forms of hate speech. The statement was delivered by Wafiqah Al-Mulla, Second Secretary of Kuwait’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, during a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly marking the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of Genocide.
In her address, Al-Mulla expressed Kuwait’s honor in participating in the landmark meeting, which she described as a reaffirmation of the international community’s commitment to preventing genocide, one of the most heinous crimes in human history. “Genocide is not merely a grave violation of international law; it is a direct attack on humanity itself,” she said, warning that failure to designate such crimes clearly and enforce strict accountability allows their recurrence across regions and against different peoples. She called for rigorous measures to confront genocide and ensure that no society becomes a breeding ground for new crimes targeting human existence.
Al-Mulla noted that the 10th anniversary comes amid rising global concerns, including escalating armed conflicts, the spread of hateful rhetoric, misleading information, and increasing attacks on civilians without deterrence. She highlighted the significance of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which established a legal and humanitarian framework obligating states to prevent acts that could lead to the partial or total destruction of any protected group.
Citing the situation in the Gaza Strip, Al-Mulla said the Palestinian people are facing practices that constitute crimes of genocide under international law, including widespread targeting of civilians, deliberate deprivation of essential means of survival and obstruction of humanitarian assistance. She emphasized that protecting the Palestinian people, ending their suffering, and ensuring accountability are not only legal obligations but also ethical imperatives aimed at preventing the repetition of such atrocities. Concluding her speech, Al-Mulla reaffirmed Kuwait’s steadfast commitment to supporting all international efforts to prevent grave crimes, strengthen accountability, foster sustainable peace, and promote tolerance and mutual respect worldwide. — KUNA
