Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect: R2P in Focus
- The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
R2P in Focus is a monthly publication by the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect highlighting recent events and publications on mass atrocity prevention and R2P.
RECENT RELEASES ON ATROCITY PREVENTION AND R2P
FOURTH ANNUAL TRAINING WORKSHOP ON HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL INVESTIGATIVE MECHANISMS AND THE PREVENTION OF ATROCITY CRIMES
On 6 February we convened diplomats, investigators, renowned UN experts, the UN Human Rights Inquiries Branch, Justice Rapid Response and civil society partners for our fourth annual training workshop for diplomats on “Human Rights Council Investigative Mechanisms and the Prevention of Atrocity Crimes.”
At a pivotal moment for the multilateral system, the workshop created space to reflect and strategize. As the Human Rights Council approaches its 20th anniversary amid the UN’s political and liquidity crisis and the broader UN80 reform process, participants examined how investigative mechanisms have strengthened the UN’s response to crises and what must be done to protect and adapt them for the future.
Discussions focused on the real-world impact of investigations: how they contribute to atrocity prevention, how political and operational challenges can be navigated and how mandates can be crafted to respond to context-specific crises. Participants also reflected on how affected communities understand accountability and how investigative mechanisms can better serve their needs.
One message was clear: investigative mechanisms are central to atrocity prevention. Sustained political support, adequate resources and principled engagement by member states will determine whether the UN can continue to deliver justice and protection when it matters most.
2025 ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT
We're pleased to share our 2025 Impact Report, highlighting key achievements and offering insight into our work over the past year. We invite you to explore the report, which features hyperlinked text and images connecting readers to the Global Centre’s website, published pieces, interviews, social media posts, videos and more.
KEEPING THE SPOTLIGHT ON VENEZUELA
During February we sat down with Feliciano Reyna, founder of Acción Solidaria and a Venezuelan humanitarian and human rights defender, alongside Elisabeth Pramendorfer, the Global Centre’s Geneva Director and Venezuela expert, to record a special episode of Expert Voices on Atrocity Prevention spotlighting the situation in Venezuela. Together, they examine the evolution of Venezuela’s multidimensional crisis and its profound human rights impact. They also assess how the situation has – and has not – shifted since the United States removed Nicolás Maduro from power on 3 January. The conversation closes with a forward-looking discussion on how the international community can meaningfully support Venezuelans in realizing their rights and shaping their future.
Also, Elisabeth met with the European Union (EU) Special Representative for Human Rights, Kajsa Ollongren, in Geneva to discuss the ongoing developments in Venezuela and the pivotal role the EU and its member states can play in advancing human rights and democratic change.
ATROCITY PREVENTION PRIORITIES AT THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL'S 61ST SESSION
On 23 February the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) began and will continue until 31 March. The HRC plays a vital role in preventing mass atrocity crimes by responding to situations where populations are at risk of – or are already experiencing – genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or ethnic cleansing.
Ahead of the session, the Global Centre sent a letter to current HRC members outlining recommendations on country situations on the agenda where populations remain at risk, including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, South Sudan and Ukraine, among others.
MORE FROM THE GLOBAL CENTRE
During the month of February, the Global Centre published four issues of Atrocity Alert, featuring updates on emerging atrocity risks and developments in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iran, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Myanmar (Burma), Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan and Venezuela.
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