The undersigned, express grave concern over the continued failure of the United Nations Security Council to effectively prevent and halt mass atrocity crimes, including acts that may amount to genocide, crimes against humanity and unlawful aggression.

Under international law, including the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, genocide is recognized as a crime that must be prevented and punished. The international community, through the United Nations system, bears a collective responsibility to act decisively when populations face such grave threats.

The Security Council holds primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and is empowered under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to take binding measures, including sanctions and the use of force, to prevent or stop atrocities.

However, repeated inaction, political deadlock and the misuse of veto power by permanent members have undermined its credibility and effectiveness. This paralysis has, in multiple instances, prevented timely and decisive responses to crises involving widespread civilian harm.

We therefore assert that:

1. The failure to act in the face of credible risks of genocide and mass atrocities represents a profound breach of the principles upon which the United Nations was founded.
2. The current structure of the Security Council, particularly the veto power, enables selective enforcement of international law and undermines global justice.
3. Continued inaction erodes trust in international institutions and weakens the global commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

Demands

We call upon the international community, including the United Nations General Assembly, to:

1. Initiate urgent structural reform of the Security Council to ensure accountability and equitable representation.
2. Restrict or abolish the use of veto power in situations involving mass atrocity crimes.
3. Establish alternative mechanisms to ensure timely intervention when the Security Council fails to act.
4. Strengthen enforcement of international humanitarian and human rights law without political bias.

In conclusion, the legitimacy of the United Nations system depends on its ability to uphold its founding promise: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and mass atrocities.