Which international law addresses the crime of genocide?

The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide is the international law that specifically addresses the crime of genocide. Formulated in the aftermath of World War II, this convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, reflecting a global commitment to prevent and punish the heinous acts defined as genocide.

The convention outlines the specific acts that constitute genocide, such as killing members of a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, and it mandates that signatory states enact laws to punish those found guilty of genocide. It serves as both a definition of genocide and a framework for international cooperation in the prosecution of individuals accused of such grave crimes. This emphasis on prevention and punishment underscores the international community's recognition of genocide's impact on humanity and the moral obligation to act against it.

In contrast, the Geneva Conventions primarily focus on humanitarian treatment during armed conflict, the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime deals with transnational crime and criminal organizations, and the Rome Statute is associated with the International Criminal Court and other serious crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, but not narrowly focused solely on genocide. Thus, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide is uniquely positioned as