(Continued) Enhancing Accountability and Justice for Serious Violations of International Law – Security Council, 9052nd meeting

Genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other gross violations of human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law are at the root of the most flagrant violations known to human beings. people – undermining the very fabric of entire societies, destabilizing entire states and regions, threatening international peace and security and reversing hard-won progress in sustainable development.
Accountability is at the heart of collective action to end and prevent violations of international law, international criminal law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law. State responsibility for such violations and individual responsibility under international or national criminal law are essential to rebuilding public confidence in justice and security institutions in order to rebuild the rule of law and maintain peace. Justice and accountability are key to tackling widespread impunity, which is the main risk factor and driver for more conflict and violations. In a culture of impunity, where perpetrators are emboldened and victims silenced, grievances multiply until they erupt into renewed violence.
This public debate aims to build on past practices and current challenges to develop a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the role of the international community in holding states, and those who act on their behalf, accountable for serious violations of international law.
This open debate aims to explore ways to develop and strengthen accountability mechanisms, not only at the State level, but also at the regional and international levels, in particular by strengthening the interaction between the different international legal frameworks with their own accountability mechanisms.
This open debate aims to bring the necessary attention to the victims. Establishing the truth about international crimes and gross violations of international human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law in violation of the legal, political and moral commitments of the international community is also essential to restoring the rights and dignity of victims and their relatives. However, beyond the need to establish truth and justice, there is also a clear need for victims to obtain effective reparations for the harm they have suffered.
Briefings
President of the International Court of Justice, Joan E. DonoghueUnited Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle BacheletA representative of civil society (to be confirmed)