Second Regional Forum on the Prevention of Genocide: Difference between revisions
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'''The Second Regional Forum on the Prevention of Genocide''' took place in Arusha, Tanzania on March 3–5, 2010. The Regional Fora on the Prevention of Genocide are co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Commerce and Religion of the Nation of Argentina. The First Regional Forum took place in December 2008, in Argentina, and the next forum is scheduled to be held in Asia in 2011.<ref name="Taj">Taj, B. Diaz, E.A and Bleeker, M (2010) Draft Executive Summary of the Co-Chairs, ''Second Regional Forum on the Prevention of Genocide'', Arusha, Tanzania: March 5, 2010.</ref> |
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==The Objectives of the Regional Forum Series on the Prevention of Genocide== |
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:*Analyze existing norms and standards, as well as the jurisprudence of existing mechanisms to sanction and to prevent genocide; |
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:*Draw lessons from the different regional experiences and views in preventing genocide; |
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:*Identify political, cultural, religious and legal challenges with a view to formulate recommendations in the field of the prevention of genocide and support the activities of the UN Special Adviser for Prevention of Genocide; |
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:*Sensitize the different regions of the world, regarding the need to prevent genocide, as a first step towards an alliance among countries of different regions to combat genocide. |
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:*Identify how prevention and sanctions can reinforce both prevention and the guarantee of non-recurrence.<ref>Taj, B. Diaz, E.A and Bleeker, M, 2009, ''Regional Forum on the Prevention of Genocide'' [concept paper/letter], November 2009.</ref> |
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More than 90 representatives of 26 States, international and regional institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) participated actively. Both fora reflect the continuous and collective process of strengthening regional efforts on the prevention of genocide, and other mass atrocities.<ref name="Taj" /> |
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The Forum took place in closed meetings, in order to allow for open discussions between participants. In the last session of the Forum, the co-chairs’ statement was presented, summarizing the essence of the panel discussions and identifying practical initiatives in the field of prevention which may be recommended at the national, regional and international levels.<ref name="Taj" /><br /> |
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The Program Schedule:[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/March_2.03.2010_Programme_Forum_on_Genocide_Prevention_Arusha.pdf]<br /> |
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<br /> |
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The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 1948 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide_Convention] |
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==The Forum's Panel Discussions== |
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:#What is genocide and how to prevent it; |
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:#Preventing genocide: Role and responsibilities of state and international actors and ways forward; |
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:#Prevention of genocide: Role and responsibilities of non-state actors and ways forward; |
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:#Africa: Experiences and visions for the future; |
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:#Asia, Latin America and Europe: Experiences, lessons learned and ways forward.<ref name="Taj" /> |
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==Speeches from the Forum== |
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====Official Opening==== |
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:*Honourable Seif Ali Idd (MP), Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Ambassador_Seif_Ali_Iddi_-_GENOCIDE_FORUM_STATEMENT.pdf] |
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:*Ambassador Daniel Chuburu, Argentina [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Opening_Statement%2C_Sr._Embajador_Chuburu.pdf] |
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:*Ambassador Adrian Schlapfer, Switzerland [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Ambassador_Schl%C3%A4pfer_-_Opening_Ceremony.pdf] |
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Within the Panel Discussions speeches were presented at the Forum, by the following: |
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====Panel I: What is genocide and how to prevent it==== |
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:*Francis Deng - UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Arusha_-_Francis_Deng.pdf] |
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:*Andrea Bartoli - Drucie French Cumbie Chair of Conflict Analysis and Resolution of the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR), George Mason University [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Arusha_Presentation_-_Andrea_Bartoli.pdf] |
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====Panel II: Preventing genocide: role and responsibilities of state and international actors and ways forward==== |
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:*Akua Kuenyehia - Judge of the International Criminal Court [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Arusha_-_Judge_Akua_Kuenyehia.pdf] |
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:*Mike Pryce - Author of Mass Atrocity Prevention Planning Guide, President of COA NonProfit [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Arusha_Speech_-_Mike_Pryce.pdf], [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Arusha_Presentation_-_Mike_Pryce.pdf] |
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====Panel III: Preventing genocide: role and responsibilities of non-state actors and ways forward==== |
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:*Salil Tripathi - Policy Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Business [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Arusha_Presentation_-_Salil_Tripathi.pdf] |
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:*Daniela Kroslak - Deputy Africa Program Director, International Crisis Group [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Arusha_Presentation_-_Daniela_Kroslak.pdf] |
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====Panel IV: Africa. Experiences and visions for the future==== |
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:*Ambassador Liberata Mulamula - Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Ambassador_Liberata_Mulamula_-_Arusha.pdf] |
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====Panel V: Asia, Latin America and Europe. Experiences, lessons learned and ways forward<br />==== |
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:*Yehuda Bauer - Professor, Academic Advisor, Yad Vashem, Jerusalem [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Arusha_Presentation_-_Yehuda_Bauer.pdf] |
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:*Socheata Poeuv - CEO of 'Khmer Legacies', Genocide Studies Program, Yale University [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/7/74/20100511135131%21Arusha_Presentation_-_Socheata_Poeuv.pdf] |
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:*Rodolfo Mattarollo - Advisor of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, Coordinator of the UNASUR Commission to the violence in Pando [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Arusha_Presentation_-_Rodolfo_Mattarollo.pdf] |
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:*Edward Luck - Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Arusha_-_Edward_Luck.pdf] |
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==Overview of Discussions== |
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Discussions focused on the need to address the root causes of genocide, taking into account available normative, judicial and diplomatic practices to prevent and punish the crime of genocide, while strengthening state-building efforts. Synergies and coordination with regional, international and non-state organizations were discussed. Challenges in the practice of prevention and opportunities for implementing initiatives were identified.<br /> |
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The centrality of identity-related conflict resulting from extreme discrimination and gross inequalities was highlighted as a cause of genocide and mass atrocities. |
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The Forum analyzed best practices, such as the chain of complementarity at different levels of justice systems at the national, regional, and international levels. Regional initiatives for a peaceful settlement of disputes and other regional cooperation mechanisms in the field of justice, human rights and peace building have been identified among these best practices.<br /> |
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The “Protocol for the Prevention and the Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity and all forms of Discrimination,” produced by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region is an important element of the regional architecture of genocide prevention.<br /> |
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On the other hand, the lack of cooperation of holistic approaches and ownership has been addressed as a problematic issue that can weaken prevention. The failure of international actors (including the Security Council and the General Assembly) to act on complaints in an effective way was addressed. |
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Nation- and state-building issues were addressed. In particular, the importance of developing constructive approaches to diversity was highlighted as a prerequisite to the prevention of mass crimes. |
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Not all conflicts lead to genocide. Situations of massive atrocities, crimes against humanity, grave human rights violations and serious breaches of international humanitarian law were also discussed. The tension between the need for effective early action and the risks of labeling any act of violence as genocide was underlined. Stigma and denial attached to genocide makes prevention difficult. The development of early-warning mechanisms was stressed as well as the reaffirmation of sovereignty as responsibility. |
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Justice is essential to achieve reconciliation. Given the weaknesses of the implementation of justice in many cases, it is equally crucial to enhance the complementarity of national, regional and international justice mechanisms. At the same time, a pertinent combination of legal and non-legal mechanisms, such as truth commissions, reparation programs, vetting processes, institutional reforms – including reinforcement of the judicial system and the prosecutor’s office – and efforts to protect and disseminate memory are essential to the struggle against impunity and to the guarantee of non-recurrence. |
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The Forum recognized that dealing consistently with the past helps to prevent the recurrence of such crimes. In this regard, education efforts are crucial, as is the role of the media and other civil society actors working in the field of communication, memory and preservation of archives. |
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International human rights norms, standards and mechanisms – such as Universal Periodic Review (UPR), national human rights programs – can contribute at an early stage to the prevention of genocide and mass crimes. |
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The participants raised a number of practical ideas and initiatives, in order to strengthen the preventive practices of genocide at the local, national, regional, and international levels. The co-chairs consider it useful to include the essential recommendations in this summary report to facilitate further reflection and actions.<ref name="Taj" /> |
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==Strategic Recommendations in the Field of Genocide Prevention== |
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:*Develop holistic and strategic approaches to address the root causes of genocide and mass atrocities; |
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:*Address discrimination, the dehumanization of communities, and systematic human rights violations as early warning factors; |
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:*Early action is necessary, before the development of genocidal situations; |
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:*Ensure effective and inclusive state-building that addresses structural inequality and ensures political representation of the different identity groups; |
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:*Make use of international norms, standards and existing frameworks (such as early-warning mechanisms, human rights and protection of civilians reporting mechanisms) and resources (such as the Analysis Framework of the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and established international legal standards); |
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:*Constitutions are crucial as they can enshrine respect for equality, freedom and practice of beliefs; guarantee an equitable representation system and legislation to ensure the respect of human rights; and |
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:*As genocide and mass atrocities are part of our universal experience and painful legacy, education efforts in this field are crucial to prevention.<ref name="Taj" /> |
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===For State and International Actors=== |
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:*The protection of populations lies first and foremost with the State. The reinforcement of state institutions, good governance, the rule of law and civilian control of security and military institutions are important prerequisites; |
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:*Designate focal points for genocide prevention at the local, national and regional levels and develop their institutional mandate ,as well as a mechanism for interaction between them; |
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:*The complementarity between national, regional and international legal frameworks needs to be reinforced - notably by ensuring compliance of national legislation with international legal instruments, including fostering the ratification of the Genocide Convention and the domestic application of international law; |
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:*Peace and justice are complementary. Transitional justice mechanisms such as truth commissions, reparation programs and institutional reforms can contribute to strengthening the holistic approach against impunity as well as peace efforts; |
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:*Military intervention should only be envisaged as a last resort and in strict compliance with the UN Charter and international law; |
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:*Create a monitoring system for the prevention of genocide under the Genocide Convention. This can be achieved by giving a larger mandate of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide to hear individual and collective communications; and |
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:*Political groups should be protected based on broader interpretations of the Genocide Convention.<ref name="Taj" /> |
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===For Civil Society Actors=== |
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:*Encourage civil society actors and organizations to report/address human rights violations and discrimination of all kinds at the earliest possible stage; |
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:*Involve the business sector in more constructive partnerships for genocide prevention as part of early warning mechanisms; |
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:*Ensure victim participation in rehabilitation processes and addressing issues of justice at the grassroots level; and |
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:*Mobilize civil society to ensure genocide prevention efforts.<ref name="Taj" /> |
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===For Actors from All Regions=== |
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:*Monitor local media with the view to preventing hatred discourse and condemn occurrence of such language in the national and local media; |
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:*Acknowledge and strengthen existing survivor networks and their rehabilitation efforts; |
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:*Replicate efforts made elsewhere to condemn genocide denial; |
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:*Work towards the adoption of a resolution in the General Assembly to condemn any denial of genocides; |
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:*Create a think tank in the region to study genocide denial and disseminate key findings, in order to prevent further genocidal acts; |
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:*Raise awareness on good practices, such as the Dar es Salaam Declaration, which addresses the issues of exclusion, discrimination, and proposes regional responses; |
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:*Review the implementation of any agreements at regular intervals; |
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:*Develop synergies into designation of focal points for genocide prevention between national authorities and regional mechanisms; |
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:*Include women and youth in any drafting process to ensure an all-encompassing process; |
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:*Create regional alliances to prevent mass murder and strengthen international law, within a general UN framework; and |
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:*Foster both regional and national human rights commissions.<ref name="Taj" /> |
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==Ways Forward== |
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This process of regional fora is a central contribution to genocide prevention, and it shall continue. Next year, the third regional forum will take place in Asia, co-organized by Tanzania, Argentina, Switzerland and an Asian country. As a result of the forum, the three countries are working together to develop specific activities within the United Nations System and will keep the participants informed.<ref name="Taj" /> |
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==References== |
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<references/> |
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{{catneeded}} |
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