UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has warned that the world today is failing to protect civilians from mass atrocity crimes.

Mr Guterres called for a renewed global commitment to the Responsibility to Protect, a principle adopted two decades ago that remains, in his words, “a moral imperative” and “an unfulfilled promise”.

The UN chief told member states that the world was witnessing more armed conflicts than at any time since the end of the Second World War.

“Too often, early warnings go unheeded, and alleged evidence of crimes committed by states and non-state actors are met with denial, indifference, or repression,” he said. “Responses are often too little, too late, inconsistent, or undermined by double standards. Civilians are paying the highest price.”

At the 2005 World Summit, global leaders made an unprecedented commitment to protect populations from the atrocity crimes of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

Known as the Responsibility to Protect, the pledge affirmed that sovereignty carries not just rights but responsibilities, foremost among them the duty of every state to safeguard its own people.

In principle, when national authorities manifestly fail to do so, the international community has a duty to act collectively, timely and decisively in accordance with the UN Charter.

He cited worsening identity-based violence, deepening impunity, and the weaponisation of new technologies as compounding threats to populations around the world.

The UN chief also presented his latest report on the Responsibility to Protect, reflecting on two decades of progress and the persistent challenges that remain. 

The report draws on a global survey showing that the principle still enjoys broad support, not only among member states but also among communities affected by violence.

The UN chief added that prevention must be supported worldwide through multilateral cooperation and principled diplomacy.

(NAN)