Minorities at risk of mass atrocities

Our online panel will bring together experts who have worked at the global, regional, national and local levels on various aspects of protection of minorities and others in vulnerable situations, including documenting atrocities and strengthening protections.

The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Minorities is commencing its fourth decade at a time of intensifying threats for minorities around the world. Although rising populism, racism and intolerance and the increasing polarisation of the multilateral system imperil all states, it is religious and ethnic minorities and other groups in vulnerable situations that are most at risk. This is especially so where they are caught up in situations of conflict and instability. Mechanisms set up to respond to at-risk communities, including the UN’s Responsibility to Protect role, appear to have fallen into disuse over the past decade, while levels of displacement, rates of dispossession, and scale of deprivation experienced by minorities appear to have increased in the same time frame. Meanwhile, modern technologies have enabled groups to intensify the dissemination of prejudice and hateful discourses and the mobilization of violent groups. Moreover, the denial of the Holocaust and of other genocides is surging in parallel with growing exclusion and marginalisation of various communities and rising mass atrocities often accompanied with impunity and represents a danger to all.

Given this situation it is important to take stock of current trends both in regard to the challenges and of the efforts and opportunities to respond to them. This panel will bring together experts who have worked at the global, regional, national and local levels on various aspects of protection of minorities and others in vulnerable situations, including documenting atrocities and strengthening protections. 

Speakers:

Felice Gaer, Executive Director, Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, New York: 'Protecting Survivors, Preserving Memory, and Promoting Prevention: The UN’s response to Holocaust denial and genocide denial'.

The Hon. Sabina Cudic, Member of Parliament, Bosnia and Herzegovina: 'The denial of genocide denial: Consequences of policy of appeasement in Bosnia and Herzegovina'.

Adama Dieng, former UN Undersecretary General and Special Adviser on Genocide Prevention: 'The role of Religious Actors and Community Leaders in responding to incitement to violence.

Professor Geoff Gilbert, School of Law, University of Essex speaking on emerging technologies and atrocity prevention.


Moderator: Dr Andrew Fagan, Director, Essex Human Rights Centre.

 Please register in advance to attend this online event via Zoom.