Based on Council Decision 2002/494/JHA, 2002 saw the establishment of the European network of contact points with respect to persons responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The network aims to enable close cooperation between national authorities in investigating and prosecuting these types of crime, known collectively as core international crimes. The network's national contact points comprise specialised and dedicated prosecutors, investigators, and officers involved in mutual legal assistance. Its secretariat, which was established in 2011, is hosted by Eurojust.

At the end of May 2025, alongside the launch of a new logo, the network changed its short name from "Genocide Network" to "Genocide Prosecution Network". References to the network should now be made under the new name. The change of the name clarifies that the network's focus is on providing support to investigations and prosecutions of core international crimes.