The United States (US) said that recent atrocities could have been prevented and tens of thousands of lives saved, if the international community had responded earlier - including in the case of Sri Lanka.

In a statement that was due to be delivered at the United Nations Human Rights Council panel discussion on the role of prevention in the promotion on human rights, the US said,

“A most troubling aspect of recent atrocities is the concern that they could have been prevented had the international community responded earlier and more appropriately.”

“Tens of thousands of lives could have been saved. The future of whole ethnic groups, states, societies, indeed the world, could have been transformed for the better.”

“Through reflection on those failures to act – Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur, Sri Lanka, Syria – we appreciate the vital role that prevention plays in the promotion and protection of human rights.”

The US statement went on to commend the UN “Rights Up Front” initiative, which was launched as a follow up report to the Internal Review Panel on UN Action in Sri Lanka, which concluded there was a “grave failure” on the part of the United Nations, and acknowledged that up to 70,000 Tamil civilians could have been killed.

The full statement was not delivered due to a lack of time.

It can be read in full here.

Also see our earlier posts:

UN Sec Gen calls on governments to commit to preventing atrocities (02 April 2014)

‘Systematic failure’ in Sri Lanka, says UN (20 December 2013)