Topic:
Country: Finland
Delegate Name: RJ(Robert) Langen
Legal Committee
Definition of Genocide
The Republic of Finland
RJ(Robert) Langen
Forest Hills Northern
Finland is a country that values human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Finland is deeply concerned about the ongoing atrocities and violations of international humanitarian law in various parts of the world that may amount to genocide. Finland believes that genocide is the most heinous crime against humanity and must be prevented and punished by all means.
Finland adheres to the definition of genocide as contained in Article II of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the Genocide Convention), which states that genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
– Killing members of the group;
– Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
– Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
– Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
– Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
Finland recognizes that the determination of genocide is a complex and sensitive matter that requires a careful and objective assessment of the facts and evidence. Finland supports the role of the United Nations, especially the Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, in monitoring and alerting about situations that may lead to or constitute genocide. Finland also supports the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other international and hybrid tribunals in investigating and prosecuting those responsible for genocide.
Finland calls on all states to ratify and implement the Genocide Convention and to cooperate with the relevant international mechanisms to prevent and combat genocide. Finland also urges all states to uphold their responsibility to protect their populations from genocide and other mass atrocities, as well as to assist other states in fulfilling this responsibility. Finland stands ready to contribute to international efforts to prevent and end genocide and to ensure justice and accountability for the victims.
Sources
“Finland’s international human rights policy – Ministry for Foreign Affairs.” Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
“Human rights in Finland – Wikipedia.” Wikipedia
“Summit for Democracy Commitments by Finland – U.S. Department of State.” U.S. Department of State
“Human Rights and International Law – Finland abroad: Permanent Mission …” Finland abroad: Permanent Mission4
“Finland: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report | Freedom House.” Freedom Hous
“Public International Law – Ministry for Foreign Affairs.” Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
“Human rights in Finland Amnesty International.” Amnesty International
“Humanitarian aid – Ministry for Foreign Affairs.” Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
“Bringing IHL home: the protection of the environment in war.” International Committee of the Red Cross
“Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide …” Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
“List of parties to the Genocide Convention – Wikipedia.” Wikipedia
“Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, …” International Committee of the Red Cross
“United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to …” United Nations
“Report on Responsibility to Protect Spotlights Development as …” United Nations
