Secretary-General, in Message for Meeting on Mass Atrocity Crimes, Hails Growing Commitment to Preventing ‘Brutal Acts that Defy Our Common Humanity’

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Second International Meeting of Global Action against Mass Atrocity Crimes, in Manila today:

I am pleased to send greetings to all those attending this important second meeting of the Global Action against Mass Atrocity Crimes.  Your participation shows how more and more Member States and partners in civil society are committed to preventing these brutal acts that defy our common humanity.

Prevention requires investing in national architecture that is resilient in the face of strains and risks — and founded on international human rights standards and the rule of law.  National capacities must include representative institutions, a strong civil society and an independent media promoting peace and security for all — with no discrimination.

Your initiatives at the national level will also support regional and multilateral efforts, anchoring them in tested approaches.  The United Nations actively supports this progress.  I call on all participants to put your commitment into action, to make the prevention of atrocity crimes your top priority and to support each other in the quest for peace at this time of turbulence.

I wish you all the best and look forward to the outcome of this meeting.

Thank you.