Thank you, President,

Germany aligns itself with the EU Statement and with the statement of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect.

We thank the Secretary-General for his report and the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect for her important work. We appreciate the report’s comprehensive and honest stocktaking of the Responsibility to Protect, and welcome the good practices and lessons learned from national, regional, and multilateral experiences.

In the year of its 20th anniversary, the Responsibility to Protect remains a vital framework. In the face of mounting global instability, blatant and systemic disregard for international humanitarian law and international human rights law – by both state and non-state actors – is expanding at an alarming rate. That violence against civilians has reached its highest level since 2015 is intolerable.

Germany remains firmly committed to the Responsibility to Protect as a holistic concept, resting on its three pillars.

We support the report’s call for a reinvigorated strategic investment in prevention and a consistent, principled approach to protection. Upholding the rules and principles of international law must remain at the core of our response. The principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in the conduct of hostilities are non-negotiable. We deplore all forms of violence against civilians, the targeting of civilian infrastructure, attacks on humanitarian personnel, and the obstruction of humanitarian access.

We must do better. The Responsibility to Protect is not fulfilled in rhetoric – it demands action, consistency, and accountability.

As the Report clearly states, no society is immune from atrocity crimes. There is a link between systemic injustices, human rights violations and atrocity crimes. Strategic and impactful prevention is as urgent es ever. Germany calls on each member state to establish mechanisms for prevention and early warning.

Germany expresses its strong support for the work of the Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect. We encourage the Joint Office to issue timely and consistent statements on country-specific situations and to provide thematic briefings and in-depth analyses at relevant fora. We urge the Special Advisers to systematically share early warning assessments and atrocity prevention recommendations with the broader UN membership, including the Security Council, General Assembly, and Human Rights Council.

In this context, we call upon the Secretary-General to appoint a new Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, a post that has remained vacant for too long.

Accountability for atrocity crimes is crucial to preventing their recurrence. States have the primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute crimes committed within their jurisdiction. Additionally, Germany acknowledges the role and impact of international accountability mechanisms and reaffirms its strong support for international courts and judicial mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court. Accountability is also a key contributor for justice for victims and survivors. Germany calls for victim- and survivor-led approaches to accountability and prevention measures.

In conclusion, let us reaffirm our commitment to the Responsibility to Protect. Our shared humanity compels us to act decisively to prevent the most egregious crimes and protect vulnerable populations everywhere.

Thank you.