How to prevent genocide? And how can we identify the indicators that such atrocious crimes might happen? These were the topics of the conference on “Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect: the UN Early Warning Mechanism” which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 20 June 2013. The Conference was organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI).
The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, gave the keynote speech. Dieng underscored “Italy’s important role in creating a world free from the scourge of such crimes for future generations”.
Crimes against humanity: recourse must be made to the International Criminal court
The UN adviser also met Foreign Minister Emma Bonino, who agreed with him on the importance of focusing more closely on the events triggering flows of refugees and sectarian violence. Phenomena which in some parts of the world are placing the survival of entire religious groups and communities at risk. Minister Bonino pointed out that if government are unwilling to take action or those responsible cannot be identified, then recourse must be made to the International Criminal court.
Defending human rights is a moral imperative, says Pistelli
Deputy Minister Pistelli underscored that defending human rights is the moral imperative of each and every state. Each state also has a responsibility to protect its citizens. If a people is victimised by its government, the international community cannot stand on the side-lines. “We are convinced”, said Pistelli, “that the first step to preventing genocide is to ensure that all groups in society enjoy the rights and dignity that are their due”. Read full article, in Italian.
