Briefing on Bosnia and Herzegovina(Srebrenica Anniversary)

SECURITY COUNCIL

Briefing on Bosnia and Herzegovina(Srebrenica Anniversary)

July 7, 2015

Statement

Mr. President,

We welcome and thank the Deputy Secretary-general, Mr. Jan Eliasson and the High Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. ZeidRa’ad Al Hussein for their comprehensive and insightful briefings, in remembrance of the tragic events of 1995 in the territory of the Former Yugoslavia.

It is our deep hope that, by drawing such painful lessons from the past, will enable us toimprove our actions in the present, and create appropriate mechanisms to prevent their recurrence in the future.

It is fundamental the prevention of conflicts, by addressing its root causes, by promoting inclusive political dialogues,and by creating the environment conducive to unity in societies based in ethnic diversity.

In this context, and in memory of all the victims of the painful conflict in the Balkans with the disintegration of Yugoslavia, to whom we pay our tribute, we would like to express our strong support to the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement.

We acknowledge the important role that the General Framework Agreement for Peace, of which we commemorate the twentieth anniversary, has played in the post-conflict reconciliation process in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the broader region.

We remind that States bear the primary responsibility to protect their own population fromwar crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. For its part, the international community has a crucial role to play, if and when national Governments fail to protect its own population.

In this sense, and while celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect concept,adopted by the 2005 World Summit Outcome, we encourage Member States to strengthen prevention efforts in order to end impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The Office of the Special Adviser on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to protect is a crucial tool as an early warning mechanism in promoting timely action to protect civilians facing imminent threat of mass atrocities.

Empowering the United Nations Peacekeeping missions with clear mandates to protect civilians is an outstanding measure. Effective UN Peacekeeping requires a clear understanding of the risk factors andthe triggers for mass atrocity crimes. We encourage the integration of the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes into strategies guiding UN Peace Operations.

The establishment of the Human Rights Council, reinforcing human rights and international humanitarian law, and the institution of theInternational Criminal Tribunal,strengthening accountability and the international criminal law have been important gains in upholding human rights and the rule of law.

Lastly, the International Community should provide support to the countries in the region in order to strengthen the cooperation among them and to support the efforts of reconciliation betweenBosnians, Serbs and Croats.

I thank you, Mr. President