The United Nations is concerned that the risk of these atrocities will increase due to current global crises including conflict, rising food and energy costs, as well as inequality and stress. Straightening deepens, all aggravated by COVID-19 pandemics and climate change.
In his opening remarks, ECOSOC President Lachezara Stoeva emphasized how 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmentcoupled with a global commitment to the responsibility to protect (R2P), underscores the need to uphold the dignity and worth of every person on the planet.
UN needs to be stronger
Ms. Stoeva said the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights, including socio-economic rights, is the cornerstone of the 2030 Agenda, and is important in addressing the causes. at the root of conflict as well as making communities more inclusive and resilient.
However, she warns that promises are not enough in the face of today’s global challenges, which are undermining progress towards achieving sustainable development and reversing gains. .
“These challenges require revive multilateralism and a stronger United Nations. It requires us to engage with all stakeholders, including youth and women, to advance social progress, raise living standards and human rights for all,” she said.
Rooted in discrimination
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, said that genocide refers to actions aimed at the destruction of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group Religion and “sad experience” have shown that it is a gradual process. explain.
Hate speech, dehumanizing groups as “others” and recurring violations of their rights are precursors to mass atrocities, he added.
“Like weeds, genocide stems from discrimination and artificially synthesized ethnic, religious or social differences. Germs of genocide broke out when The rule of law is broken,” said Mr. Kőrösi.
Prevention and protection
Stopping genocide, he continued, requires uprooting. protect at-risk communitiesincluding ethnic minorities andespecially women and girls.
The President of the General Assembly also pointed out The innovative role of educationstates that “by promoting an environment of coexistence, mutual respect, tolerance and cooperation, education can assist societies against the threat of violent extremism.”
Following the failure of the international community to stop atrocities in Rwanda and the Balkans in the 1990s, the United Nations established the mandate Special Advisor on Genocide Prevention, a position currently held by Alice Wairimu Nderitu.
human rights connection
She told participants that the responsibility to protect is a matter of both domestic and international policy to meet human rights obligations.
“Therefore, we must consider social and economic measures to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, in the prism of fundamental rights. The lack of food, adequate housing, education, health care, social security, employment, water and sanitation has facilitated heinous crimes,” she said.
Ms. Nderitu reiterated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on economic and social rights and has increased the risk of atrocities due to increasingly discriminatory and hate speech. increase.
Proposal for research cooperation
In response to the global crisis, governments have taken measures to support their people, such as cash transfers, student meals, unemployment protection and temporary change. social security contribution payments.
Some also partner with the United Nations and social media companies to tackle hate speech and discrimination.
While these measures contribute to mitigating and preventing many of the negative effects of the pandemic, Ms. Nderitu called for more action.
She proposes a partnership with ECOSOC to promote research and policy on the link between atrocities and socioeconomic injuries.
“I also believe in the leadership of ECOSOC and the Member States in continuing to address the issues of economic and social vulnerability, and heeding the Secretary-General’s call for a The new social contract focuses on respecting all human rights without discrimination and aims to achieve a world free from brutality. crime,” she said.
