ABSTRACT
A victims' perspective on the international human rights treaty regime needs to proceed from an understanding of the quest of the international system for the promotion and protection of human rights, to prevent gross human rights violations and to bring the perpetrators of such violations to justice. International human rights treaties seek to prevent violations of human rights by: highlighting plight of victims and devising strategies for alleviating their suffering and proscribing crimes against humanity and working to bring about the punishment of the perpetrators of such crimes. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights further elaborated upon the human rights provisions of the Charter and recognized that disregard and contempt for human rights had resulted in barbarous acts that had outraged the conscience of humankind. The Contracting Parties to the Genocide Convention confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law, which they undertake to prevent and to punish.
