New York: Europe and the Arabs
The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide warned that the world is witnessing an alarming decline in respect for international law, with conflicts increasingly targeting civilians and the risk of atrocities rising.

In his first interview since taking office in August, Chaloka Beyani recalled the origins of his mandate, established by the UN Security Council in the wake of the genocides in Rwanda and Srebrenica, and drew disturbing parallels with the crises unfolding today.

“We are seeing gross violations of international human rights law, direct attacks on civilians, and blatant non-compliance with international humanitarian law,” Beyani told UN News. “The risk of atrocities, and indeed the risk of them already occurring, is extremely high.”

He cited the escalating violence in Sudan as one of the most pressing examples. The Darfur conflict, first investigated by a UN commission in the 1990s, continues to worsen decades later, he said, adding: “Nothing has changed. The collapse of the civilian government has only exacerbated the crisis.” Early Warning System

The Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect acts as an early warning system within the United Nations. It alerts the Secretary-General, the Security Council, and the wider UN system—in this order—when it detects a risk of atrocity crimes, including genocide.

Based on the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and legal opinions on genocide tribunal cases, the Office monitors and analyzes 14 factors, ranging from armed conflicts involving ethnic or religious groups to hate speech and the breakdown of the rule of law, among others.

When these risks exhibit a violent pattern, the Special Adviser issues warnings, coordinates responses with UN officials, and maintains close relationships with regional organizations such as the African Union and the European Union, as well as other international mechanisms.

“Once our Office sounds the alarm, it indicates that the threshold is about to be crossed,” said Biani. He emphasized that “our role is not to define genocide, but to prevent it,” adding that his Office refers cases to international tribunals to determine whether the crime has been committed. Protecting the Vulnerable
The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide also emphasized the crucial role of courts and justice in protecting vulnerable groups. He stated, "What needs to be done in the context of dealing with atrocities is to make those involved in conflicts aware that they are being watched and monitored."

As an example, he cited the 2012 conviction by the International Criminal Court of Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga for recruiting child soldiers. This prompted other warlords to publicly condemn the recruitment of children.

My statement also referenced the provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice in the South Africa v. Israel case concerning the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip.

He added that, among other cases, the International Court of Justice will next year consider the full case brought by The Gambia v. Myanmar, which also concerns the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The Special Adviser stated, "Prevention includes accountability."

Emerging Threats
Among the emerging threats monitored by the Office of the Special Adviser are disinformation and hate speech. His office is working with technology companies like Meta (Facebook) and Google to combat online incitement, and with religious and community leaders to counter hate speech at the local level.

Environmental degradation and climate change have become catalysts for conflict. Bianchi said the Security Council was right to recognize environmental degradation as a security risk, as it did during a debate on November 6.

“We are witnessing resource-based tensions, from the Sahel to small island states at risk of being submerged,” he added. “Climate change itself is not a cause, but it exacerbates other risk factors.”

The Special Adviser noted that indigenous communities, often targeted in conflicts over land and natural resources, are among those most in need of protection.

“Extractive industries and deliberate actions against them put them at enormous risk. Their identity and way of life make them particularly vulnerable,” he said.

“Remembering alone is not enough.” Despite the sensitivity of his mandate, the Special Adviser remains focused on diplomacy and prevention rather than public condemnation. He said in this regard: “This office is designed to work quietly, advise the Secretary-General and the Security Council, and make public statements when necessary.” He added that some countries perceive this as a threat. The Special Adviser stressed that prevention requires as much remembrance as action.

He said: “Commemorating past genocides reminds us of the founding promise of the United Nations: that such crimes will never be repeated, and of the very foundation of the Genocide Convention.”

He referred to the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime on December 9, adding that “remembrance alone is not enough; we must strengthen our tools, build trust, and act early.”

What is genocide?

Genocide is derived from the Greek word “genos,” meaning people, race, or tribe, and the suffix “sed,” meaning to kill. According to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, as such:

(a) Killing members of the group.

(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group.

(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.

(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group.

(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.