Deputy Secretary-General's remarks at the 7th Annual Ministerial Roundtable Discussion on the Responsibility to Protect on "Responsibility to Protect and Human Rights"
[as prepared for delivery]

The world faces a resurgence of atrocity crimes.  We are witnessing an alarming rise in extremist ideology that is violence-prone and hostile to diversity.  We are also witnessing, sadly, the continued failure of States to protect their own populations.  Our collective responsibility to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity is being severely tested.

Today’s meeting addresses one crucial aspect of the international response to these challenges:  the protection and promotion of human rights.  This is a core component of international assistance provided to States under Pillar II of the responsibility to protect.

In this context, I would like to offer five reflections.

First, transforming early warning into early action requires a systematic approach.  Clear linkages are needed between information gathering, analysis, decision-making, and response.  The Secretary-General has taken an important step in this direction through the Human Rights Up Front initiative.  This initiative brings human rights protection to the centre of the Organization’s work, where it belongs.  This is meant to change not only the way that field staff see their role, but also how senior decision-makers support those on the front lines.  And it is meant to make more effective how the UN interacts with Member States in situations of impending crisis.

I welcome the support for these efforts recently expressed at the General Assembly dialogue on the Responsibility to Protect.  Similarly, the Security Council recently recognized the role of the Secretary-General in prevention and encouraged him to continue to report information which could contribute to the prevention of armed conflict.

Second, there is a need to enhance our capacities to identify, as early as possible, signs of atrocity crimes.  These crimes develop over time, and there are therefore multiple opportunities to mitigate risks.  

Third, we should make better use of existing tools such as peer review mechanisms, preventive diplomacy and the Human Rights Council, to discuss human rights violations relevant to atrocity crimes at an early stage and in a more collaborative context.

Fourth, international support for national human rights institutions, commissions of inquiry and civil society organizations, helps to build national resilience.  This assistance must avoid “one-size-fits-all”, formalistic approaches.  National human rights institutions function best when they are independent and embedded within local norms and practices.

Fifth and lastly, successful prevention requires effective monitoring and technical support.  The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights plays a crucial role in identifying and raising awareness of serious human rights violations and supporting States to address them.  I encourage Member States to support efforts to strengthen OHCHR’s activities, particularly at the field level.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We must not forget that the lives of vulnerable populations depend on our ability to do far better than we have done to date.  It is in that spirit that I have offered these suggestions.  The Secretary-General and I look forward to continuing to work with you to advance these efforts.

Thank you.