December 8, 2009 - 19:45 AMT
UN calls on world's countries to combat crimes against humanity
The 9th of December marks the day in 1948 when the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, an appreciation of the necessity that all states work together to prevent a recurrence of the Holocaust and other mass atrocities that preceded the Convention.

"Too often, the international community has failed to remain vigilant to the various manifestations of genocidal situations, such as "ethnic-cleansing" and targeting of civilian groups from which armed elements draw their membership," United Nations Organizations says in a release.

States are called upon to implement the preventive aspects of the Convention and to support efforts to prevent massive and serious human rights violations.