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African countries, like many regions of the world, are affected by the legacy of atrocity crimes. Genocide, the transatlantic slave trade and slavery, colonialism and post-independence violence committed during dictatorships, not to mention civil war and violent extremism, have severely violated human rights and left devastating marks on societies across the continent. The way in which societies deal with violent pasts has profound implications for the present and the future, as well as their chances of building sustainable peace.
Strengthening education about atrocity crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, is an essential part of addressing violent pasts and preventing future atrocity crimes. Echoing a series of United Nations resolutions on the importance of educational measures for genocide prevention,1 in 2013, the Secretary-General’s annual report Responsibility to protect: State responsibility and prevention included the recommendation: “Education curriculums should include instruction on past violations and on the causes, dynamics and consequences of atrocity crimes” as an important means to promote societal resilience to atrocity crimes.2
This recognition is in line with the Education 2030 Agenda and, more specifically, target 4.7 of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on Education. This target calls on countries to promote education that fosters sustainable development, human rights, gender equality, a culture of peace, global citizenship and an appreciation of cultural diversity.3
1 See United Nations Resolution 60/7 (2005); UNESCO General Conference 34 C/Resolution 61 (2007) on “Holocaust remembrance”; United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2150 (2014) on “Recommitment to fight against genocide” and Human Rights Council (HRC) Resolution A/HRC/28/L.25 on “The prevention of genocide” (2015). The latter “Emphasizes the important role that education, including human rights education, can play in genocide prevention, and further encourages Governments to promote, as appropriate, educational programmes and projects that contribute to the prevention of genocide”.
2 United Nations (2013), Responsibility to protect: State responsibility and prevention. Report of the Secretary-General (A/67/929–S/2013/399): http://responsibilitytoprotect.org/SG%20report%202013(1).pdf
3 Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education, https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal4