Recommendations & Conclusions
14 items
1
Conclusion
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
Mass atrocities not only reflect deep inhumanity but undermine global stability at a time when population displacement is more pronounced than at any point since World War Two. Key trends today may fuel greater violence, for instance climate change, threats to democracies and the involvement of non-state actors in conflict. …
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Mass atrocities not only reflect deep inhumanity but undermine global stability at a time when population displacement is more pronounced than at any point since World War Two. Key trends today may fuel greater violence, for instance climate change, threats to democracies and the involvement of non-state actors in conflict. The Prime Minister has expressed her personal commitment to preventing mass atrocities, seeing this as morally right and “absolutely” in the UK’s strategic interest. Without concerted action, however, mass atrocities are likely to become more common, which will constrain global development. (Paragraph 15) Policy response
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Government response AI summary
The Government agrees that in its efforts to prevent mass atrocities the full range of tools, multilateral or otherwise, should be considered, and decisions should be made based on the context. The Government will continue to use multilateral mechanisms wherever appropriate and will continue to …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
3
Conclusion
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
In 2019, the Government set out the tools that it can use to prevent mass atrocities, even at a time of multilateral gridlock. These tools include early warning mechanisms, diplomacy to de-escalate tensions, development support to address the root causes of conflict, and defence and policing tools.
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In 2019, the Government set out the tools that it can use to prevent mass atrocities, even at a time of multilateral gridlock. These tools include early warning mechanisms, diplomacy to de-escalate tensions, development support to address the root causes of conflict, and defence and policing tools.
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Government response AI summary
The government recognizes atrocity prevention as separate from conflict and that the OCSM seeks to identify and work with convergences between conflict prevention and atrocity prevention where they exist but provides for dedicated focus where they are distinct. The UK is a global leader on …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
4
Conclusion
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
Since 2019, the Government’s approach to preventing mass atrocities has become clearer. In particular, welcome changes were implemented in the course of this inquiry. The Government has launched the Office for Conflict, Stabilisation and Mediation (OCSM), which will contain a new hub to consider atrocity prevention. This hub will pilot …
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Since 2019, the Government’s approach to preventing mass atrocities has become clearer. In particular, welcome changes were implemented in the course of this inquiry. The Government has launched the Office for Conflict, Stabilisation and Mediation (OCSM), which will contain a new hub to consider atrocity prevention. This hub will pilot interventions to prevent atrocities in ‘priority countries’ and build a new warning system for atrocities and conflict.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the importance of a comprehensive whole-of- government approach to mass atrocity prevention but cannot commit to developing a written strategy at this time. They state the Mass Atrocity Prevention Hub is directing resource towards implementation across a range of workstreams, and …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
5
Conclusion
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
The UK must do more. A new cross-departmental strategy to prevent mass atrocities offers opportunities. It can drive greater coherence between existing policy initiatives on human protection. As the UK will not always be able to prevent mass atrocities, a strategy can also clarify the metrics by which the UK …
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The UK must do more. A new cross-departmental strategy to prevent mass atrocities offers opportunities. It can drive greater coherence between existing policy initiatives on human protection. As the UK will not always be able to prevent mass atrocities, a strategy can also clarify the metrics by which the UK will measure the success of its efforts. The Government appears open to a new strategy, which NGOs, academics and many Members of Parliament have advocated for many years.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges there must be cohesion and consistency between its approaches to atrocity prevention and conflict prevention, whilst being aware of the crossover and potential tensions between them.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
13
Recommendation
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
The Government must empower the new Office for Conflict, Stabilisation and Mediation (OCSM) in the FCDO by allocating appropriate funds and staff to meet the scale of the UK’s ambitions.
Government response AI summary
The OCSM is scoping the needs for additional centralised guidance and will use this analysis to develop and expand existing resources available to Post and in the UK.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
15
Conclusion
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
UK Missions overseas are not getting the support that they need on atrocity prevention. Current training and support appear to attach insufficient weight to prevention, which risks leaving staff without the information that they need to recognise and act on the warning signs of atrocities. Although some Missions acknowledged the …
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UK Missions overseas are not getting the support that they need on atrocity prevention. Current training and support appear to attach insufficient weight to prevention, which risks leaving staff without the information that they need to recognise and act on the warning signs of atrocities. Although some Missions acknowledged the value of the training, Missions in more than 90% of countries and territories do not appear to have recently accessed it. Some of the Missions that have apparently not accessed the training are based in countries where the FCDO believes that human rights violations and abuses are ongoing. Such critical training cannot be left to individual discretion. That point is especially pertinent, because the Government plans to give greater power to Heads of Missions.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees Heads of Missions play an important role in the UK’s atrocity prevention approach and that this informs how they are prepared for postings and the support available.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
16
Recommendation
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
The FCDO must mandate short, introductory atrocity prevention training for all Ambassadors/Heads of UK Missions, with a refresher every three years and more in- depth training for at-risk countries. Training should also be mandatory for other key Embassy staff, such as conflict advisers and military attachés, in priority countries. The …
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The FCDO must mandate short, introductory atrocity prevention training for all Ambassadors/Heads of UK Missions, with a refresher every three years and more in- depth training for at-risk countries. Training should also be mandatory for other key Embassy staff, such as conflict advisers and military attachés, in priority countries. The UK may benefit from studying similar training provided by its international allies, such as the United States.
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Government response AI summary
The OCSM is working to foster learning, build knowledge and share best practice between teams and Embassies and will work closely with colleagues across Government to ensure that lessons are captured and shared.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
17
Recommendation
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
The FCDO should review its existing training and consider whether it provides sufficient support to UK Missions. Such training may require greater preventive focus.
Government response AI summary
The OCSM will continue to innovate its analytical capabilities, working with Posts and teams across FCDO and wider HMG who focus on risk, data, and analysis. The OCSM is designing and testing new analytical templates and guidance, including for atrocity prevention. They are working with …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
19
Recommendation
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
The OCSM should track training uptake and ensure that Posts in priority countries are accessing enhanced, specialist support, in the form of conflict advisers, dedicated 44 From Srebrenica to a safer tomorrow: Preventing future mass atrocities around the world internal atrocity prevention and human rights advisers or external experts. Data …
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The OCSM should track training uptake and ensure that Posts in priority countries are accessing enhanced, specialist support, in the form of conflict advisers, dedicated 44 From Srebrenica to a safer tomorrow: Preventing future mass atrocities around the world internal atrocity prevention and human rights advisers or external experts. Data on training uptake should be included in the proposed annual report to Parliament (see para 49).
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO continuously assesses its approach and will make necessary improvements to how it monitors and responds to risk, but does not specifically address tracking training uptake or ensuring access to enhanced support in priority countries.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
21
Recommendation
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
The OCSM should continue to foster learning between Embassies and to provide opportunities for exemplary teams to showcase their approach.
Government response AI summary
The government will consider whether it would be appropriate to use another approach for marking atrocity prevention programmes, as the OECD's Development Assistance Committee does not currently have an atrocity prevention marker.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
25
Conclusion
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
UK aid programmes that strengthen institutions and civil society can foster environments where atrocities are less likely, when these programmes are sensitive to atrocity and conflict risks. We are concerned that successive reductions in those programmes may have blunted their effectiveness. The new International Development Strategy fails to reiterate the …
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UK aid programmes that strengthen institutions and civil society can foster environments where atrocities are less likely, when these programmes are sensitive to atrocity and conflict risks. We are concerned that successive reductions in those programmes may have blunted their effectiveness. The new International Development Strategy fails to reiterate the previous commitment to direct half of aid spending to fragile and conflict-affected states, which may dilute the UK’s efforts to prevent atrocities.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of Sustainable Development Goal 16 and the role of civil society, stating the UK is committed to working in partnership with CSOs and that ODA allocations will be aligned with development priorities.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
26
Recommendation
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
The Government must increase the share of UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) spent on development programmes that strengthen inclusive and accountable institutions and that reinforce civil society organisations, consistent with Sustainable Development Goal 16. (Paragraph 89) From Srebrenica to a safer tomorrow: Preventing future mass atrocities around the world 45
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The Government must increase the share of UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) spent on development programmes that strengthen inclusive and accountable institutions and that reinforce civil society organisations, consistent with Sustainable Development Goal 16. (Paragraph 89) From Srebrenica to a safer tomorrow: Preventing future mass atrocities around the world 45
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of Sustainable Development Goal 16 and the role of civil society, stating the UK is committed to working in partnership with CSOs and that ODA allocations will be aligned with development priorities.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
29
Conclusion
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
Civil society organisations in the UK and overseas must be empowered to play an active role in preventing atrocities, as they are often the first to be exposed to potential warning signs.
Government response AI summary
The FCDO is committed to a more locally led approach, and is already piloting new approaches and will work with civil society groups to explore how analysis from local organizations can support early warning systems.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
30
Recommendation
Third Report - From Srebrenica to a saf…
Acknowledged
The Government must simplify funding streams for local civil society organisations and formalise the relationship between these organisations and relevant Government teams, building a more consistent role for these organisations in the Government’s early warning systems. (Paragraph 98) 46 From Srebrenica to a safer tomorrow: Preventing future mass atrocities around …
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The Government must simplify funding streams for local civil society organisations and formalise the relationship between these organisations and relevant Government teams, building a more consistent role for these organisations in the Government’s early warning systems. (Paragraph 98) 46 From Srebrenica to a safer tomorrow: Preventing future mass atrocities around the world
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO is committed to a more locally led approach, and is already piloting new approaches and will work with civil society groups to explore how analysis from local organizations can support early warning systems.
Read full response →
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office