The UN fears the risk of such atrocities is heightened given current global crises that include conflict, soaring food and energy prices, and deepening inequalities and tensions, all exacerbated by the crisis. COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
In her opening speech, ECOSOC President Lachezara Stoeva highlighted how Sustainable development agenda for 2030along with the global commitment to the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), highlight the need to uphold the dignity and worth of every person on the planet.
A stronger UN is needed
Ms. Stoeva said the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights, including socio-economic rights, is the basis of the 2030 Agenda and is essential both for addressing the root causes of conflict and for make communities more inclusive and resilient.
However, she warned that promises were not enough in the face of current global challenges, which are undermining progress towards achieving sustainable development and reversing gains made.
“These challenges require reinvigorated multilateralism and a stronger UN. This requires us to collaborate with all stakeholders, including youth and women, to promote social progress, better living standards and human rights for all,” she said.
Rooted in discrimination
Genocide refers to acts aimed at destroying a national, ethnic, racial or religious group and ‘sad experience’ has shown it is a gradual process, UN General Assembly president says , Csaba Kőrösi, explain.
Hate speech, dehumanization of groups considered “the others” and recurring violations of their rights are precursors of mass atrocities, he added.
“Like weeds, genocide has its roots in discrimination and in artificially aggregated ethnic, religious or social differences. The seed of genocide bursts when the rule of law is collapsing“, said Mr Kőrösi.
Prevention and protection
To prevent genocide, we must uproot its roots, he continued. protect at-risk communitiesincluding minorities and especially women and girls.
The President of the General Assembly also highlighted the transformative role of educationstating that “by fostering an environment of coexistence, mutual respect, tolerance and cooperation, education can protect societies against the threat of violent extremism.”
Following the failure of the international community to prevent atrocities in Rwanda and the Balkans in the 1990s, the UN established the mandate of Special Advisor for the Prevention of Genocide, a position currently held by Alice Wairimu Nderitu.
Link to human rights
She explained to participants that the responsibility to protect is a matter of national and international policy aimed at respecting human rights obligations.
“We must therefore take social and economic measures to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. within the framework of fundamental rights. Lack of adequate food, adequate housing, education, health, social security, work, water and sanitation creates the conditions for atrocity crimes,” she said.
Ms. Nderitu recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on economic and social rights and increased the risk of atrocity crimes, due to the rise in hate speech and discrimination.
Research collaboration proposal
In response to the global crisis, governments have implemented measures to support their populations, such as cash transfers, school meals, unemployment protection and temporary changes to the payment of social security contributions.
Some have also joined forces with the UN and social media companies to combat hate speech and discrimination.
While these measures have helped mitigate and prevent many adverse effects of the pandemic, Ms Nderitu called for more action.
She proposed collaboration with ECOSOC to advance research and policy on the link between atrocity crimes and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
“I also count on the leadership of ECOSOC and Member States to continue to address social and economic vulnerabilities and to deliver on the Secretary-General’s call for a renewed social contract centered on respect for all rights of man without discrimination and aiming to achieve a world without atrocities. crimes,” she said.
