governmental power (Document of Copenhagen Meeting on the Human Dimension of the OSCE, 1990, Para. 30). Mr. President, The UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948) recognises that "genocide is an international crime, which entails the national and international responsibility of individual persons and states". In light of the frequent attacks against religious minorities all over the world, we strongly support the idea that the United Nations should be much more attentive to their security, as in certain regions they are in physical danger because of their religious beliefs. We particularly support your priority with regard to the role of minority rights protection in conflict prevention. R2P must begin long before violence starts and special attention should be devoted to minority groups and minority rights protection as a key factor to stability and conflict prevention. The EU welcomes your strengthened collaboration with Mr. Adama Dieng, the Special Adviser of the SG on the Prevention of Genocide, and Ms. Jennifer Welsh, the Special Adviser of the SG on R2P, as the relationship between an effective minority protection policy and the prevention of mass atrocities is obvious. I thank you Mr. President