BRUSSELS, April 1 (KUNA) -- At the initiative of Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, an international conference was convened in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday to determine ways and means to rid mankind of the scourge of genocides.
The two-day meeting was organized in cooperation with the African Union, the European Union and the UN.
Over 500 participants, representing 125 States, Regional and International Organizations, as well as academics, legal experts, representatives of civil society and parliamentarians reached understanding on substantive elements and operational measures to go beyond the slogan "Never Again", to avert the spiral leading to mass atrocities, noted a Belgian foreign ministry statement.
In his closing remarks, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that "victims are better honored by our efforts in prevention and protection. We progressed in the implementation of these responsibilities. The UN engaged in a review of the way it has treated these questions." He reminded that it is the governments'''' duty to take their fundamental responsibilities. It is only if they fail to do so that the community of nations has to intervene.
Summarizing the conference, Minister Reynders said participants stressed their strong resolve to become parties to international legal instruments, in particular 1948 UN Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Statute of Rome; to promote and protect fundamental rights of all populations, including minorities, irrespective of their nationality, ethnicity, race or religion; and take necessary measures to prevent genocide - as it is their obligation - including by bringing such situations to the attention of the Security Council. (end) nk.bs