Guterres warns against ignoring indicators of mass crimes

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on member states to commit internationally to the principle of the “responsibility to protect,” including strengthening efforts to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity, stressing that this responsibility has become more important than ever in light of escalating conflicts and increasing geopolitical risks.

This came during the Secretary-General’s statement, which was read on his behalf by his Chief of Staff, Earl Courtney Rattray, before the general debate held by the United Nations General Assembly today, on the eighteenth report of the Secretary-General on the “Responsibility to Protect,” which reviews more than two decades of progress since world leaders adopted this historic commitment in 2005.

In his statement, the Secretary-General stressed that the responsibility to protect the population lies primarily with each state towards its people, noting that member states have pledged, in cases where national authorities are unable to perform this duty, to take swift and decisive collective action in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

He pointed out that these models include employing preventive diplomacy, dialogue, and early warning mechanisms, developing institutions capable of preventing mass crimes, strengthening independent and impartial judicial systems, supporting independent media and civil society organizations, in addition to integrating the prevention of mass crimes into the United Nations’ humanitarian and political work, peacebuilding efforts, and peacekeeping operations.

He pointed out that the world witnessed more than 120 conflicts during the year 2025, and that these conflicts have become more complex, persistent and interconnected, at a time when violations of international law are increasing and the circle of impunity is expanding.

He warned that technological development increases the severity of the situation, with the spread of advanced weapons, including drones and autonomous systems, in addition to the rapid spread of hate speech and misinformation via the Internet, stressing that early warning indicators are often ignored, and that the international response often comes late and is insufficient.

He called for the prevention of mass crimes to be integrated into all tools of peacemaking, conflict prevention and humanitarian work, including mediation, preventive diplomacy, security and technology frameworks, human rights and accountability.

The Secretary-General stressed that the principle of the “responsibility to protect” embodies the essence of the United Nations mission and provides a practical path for prevention and peacebuilding, calling on the international community to fulfill the pledge made by world leaders in 2005 and to make protecting populations and preventing mass crimes a permanent and global practice.