On Genocide Memorial Day 2026 [18 January 2026], Malaysian civil society organisations come together in solemn remembrance of the victims of genocide past and present, and in firm condemnation of the ongoing genocide and mass atrocities unfolding before the eyes of the world today.
This day is not merely an occasion of mourning. It is a day of accountability.
Genocide Memorial Day was conceived so that humanity would never again normalise mass killing, ethnic cleansing, starvation, forced displacement and the systematic destruction of an entire people.
Yet in our time, genocide is no longer hidden. It is documented, livestreamed and rationalised. This reality marks a profound failure of the international world order.
The genocide in Gaza, alongside other mass atrocities in different parts of the world, stands as an indictment of a global system that has abandoned its own principles.
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International law is applied selectively. Institutions mandated to protect civilians are paralysed. Powerful states and their allies act with impunity, while victims are denied justice, protection and dignity.
On this day of remembrance, Malaysian civil society affirms that silence is no longer acceptable, neutrality is no longer moral, and delay is no longer defensible.
Our collective declaration
We declare that:
- Genocide is not a tragedy of the past, but a crime of the present
- The failure to prevent genocide is a failure of political will, not legal capacity
- Selective justice undermines the legitimacy of international law
- The normalisation of mass civilian suffering threatens global peace and the moral order
- Human dignity is indivisible and cannot be subordinated to geopolitics
Our demands
To the United Nations:
- Act decisively to protect civilians in situations meeting the legal thresholds of genocide and crimes against humanity.
- End the paralysis caused by the selective use of the veto power in cases of mass atrocities.
- Ensure independent, enforceable accountability mechanisms for perpetrators, regardless of political status or alliance.
- Uphold the universality of international humanitarian and human rights law without exception.
To the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):
- Move beyond statements to coordinated political, legal and diplomatic action.
- Establish a permanent OIC mechanism on genocide prevention and accountability.
- Defend the rights of oppressed peoples as a collective moral and political obligation.
- Restore unity, clarity and courage in confronting injustice.
To Asean:
- Break the culture of silence in the face of genocide and mass atrocities.
- Affirm that regional stability cannot be built on moral indifference.
- Play an active diplomatic role in defending civilian protection and international law.
- Ensure that Asean’s people-centred vision includes global ethical responsibility.
To the government of Malaysia:
- Take a principled and proactive leadership role in genocide prevention at international forums.
- Support international legal action and accountability mechanisms without fear or hesitation.
- Amplify the voice of civil society and humanitarian actors in shaping foreign policy.
- Uphold Malaysia’s moral standing as a nation committed to justice, humanity, and dignity.
A call to conscience
- Genocide Memorial Day must never be reduced to symbolism. Remembrance without action dishonours the victims. Declarations without accountability embolden perpetrators.
- We remind the international community that genocide is not only a crime against a people. It is a crime against humanity itself. When genocide is tolerated, the foundations of global order collapse, and no nation remains safe from the consequences of moral failure.
- Malaysian civil society stands united in declaring that the world must choose justice over power, humanity over expediency, and accountability over silence.
- On this Genocide Memorial Day 2026, we affirm: Never Again must mean Never Again for all.
Issued by
- Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (Mapim)
- Citizens International (CI)
- Yayasan Nurul Islam (YNI)
- Persatuan Nurul Islam (PNI)
- Sekretariat Himpunan Ulama Rantau Asia (Shura)
- Aliansi Masjid Sedunia Pertahankan Al Aqsa
- Malaysia Palestine Workers Union
- Malaysian Global Coalition in Support of Al Quds and Palestine
- Teras Pengupayaan Melayu
- Persatuan Persaudaraan Muslimah Malaysia (Salimah)
- Pertubuhan Pendidikan Terbang Tinggi Malaysia
- Persatuan Pengguna Luar Bandar dan Ekologi Malaysia (Rural Malaysia)
- Bintang Academy
- Palestine Solidarity, Penang
- OWL Center for Peace, Penang
- Aliran
- Penang 4 Palestine (P4P)
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
