The crimes of genocide and genocidal violence are among the most evil mass crimes against humanity. We need to discuss how we can prevent these crimes from ever happening again.

We need to understand the causes of genocides.We need to get a better understanding of the psychological and social forces that lead to genocides and mass crimes.

It may often be the result of complex historical and political factors. Dictatorship, totalitarianism, ethnic conflicts and instability may lead to the oppression of minority groups and, ultimately, to genocide.

Thus, the first step for any effective policy for the prevention of genocides must focus upon creating and promoting democratic and stable societies that protect the rights of the individual. This is the precondition for the prevention of future crimes.

All experience shows that democracy, human rights, economic freedom and development are the cornerstones for the protection of individual liberties and, thus, for the prevention of genocides or similar crimes.

We need to adopt efficient policies for the rapid prevention of emerging genocidal threats.We must ensure that emerging crises do not develop into mass crimes.

The development of early warning mechanisms is another possibility and is a precondition for intervention in any evolving conflict that may lead to mass murder. In some cases, diplomatic pressure, legal or economic sanctions or similar instruments may be sufficient. In other cases, the effective prevention of genocides could require the use of military or peace-enforcing intervention.

With the establishment of the International Criminal Court we have taken a decisive step towards ensuring that perpetrators of genocide are prosecuted and brought to justice.

The EU Member States have also taken steps in this field. EU Member States have adopted a decision on how to cooperate and assist one another in practice in the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

We are developing a common asylum policy within the EU. Asylum must be granted to those in need in accordance with the Geneva Refugee Convention and other relevant international Conventions.

During the Danish Presidency we reached agreement regarding a common definition of a refugee based on these conventions. The conventions are the result of historic experiences. They put a limit to atrocities through mutual obligations.

We must raise awareness about past genocides and teach our children and grandchildren about these horrible events. We must teach future generations about the horrors of Auschwitz and Gulag, but also about recent genocides in Rwanda and Cambodia, brutal tyranny in Iraq and the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia. For this purpose, we have decided to organise a yearly Auschwitz Day in Denmark in memory of the victims of genocide.

We should also commemorate the lights in the darkness: Individuals who helped those in need – like the Bulgarians and the Danes who rescued virtually all Jews in these countries – and the Swedes who took care of them.

We are dealing with an extremely important issue. Recent history tells us that we cannot ignore the threats of genocide. Evil is a potential factor everywhere.We need each other to stand up against dictators, demagogues and totalitarian ideology. Therefore we need to get together and confirm and renew the international obligations laid down in the Human Rights and Refugee Conventions.