A/RES/53/43 Page 2 Recalling its resolution 96 (I) of 11 December 1946, in which it declared genocide to be a crime under international law, contrary to the spirit and aims of the United Nations, Recalling also that, in adopting the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide on 9 December 1948, it recognized the crime of genocide as an odious scourge which had inflicted great losses on humanity and was convinced that international cooperation was required to facilitate the speedy prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, Noting that, fifty years after inclusion of a proposal to that effect, concrete steps have been taken to create international penal tribunals with jurisdiction over persons charged with genocide, Concerned that, despite the efforts of the international community, many thousands of innocent human beings continue to be victims of genocide, Taking into consideration the Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity of 26 November 1968,5 Considering that the fiftieth anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide provides a new opportunity for the international community to draw the attention of all States to the significance of the Convention and to invite them to redouble their efforts for the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, 1. Reaffirms the significance of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide2 as an effective international instrument for the punishment of the crime of genocide; 2. Expresses its appreciation to all States that have ratified or acceded to the Convention; 3. Invites States that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention to consider doing so; 4. Calls upon all States to increase and intensify their activities aimed at the full implementation of the provisions of the Convention; 5. Invites Governments and the international community to continue to review and assess the progress made in the implementation of the Convention since its adoption, and to identify obstacles and the way in which they can be overcome, both through measures on the national level and through enhanced international cooperation; 6. Invites Governments, the Secretariat, relevant organs and agencies of the United Nations system within their respective mandates, other international organizations and non-governmental organizations to disseminate the Convention widely together with other international instruments in the field of human rights, with a view to ensuring its universality and full and comprehensive implementation. 77th plenary meeting 2 December 1998 5 Resolution 2391 (XXIII), annex.