A/64/271 option and that the domestic judiciary systems should bear the primary responsibility to prosecute and punish people who had incited to or participated in genocide. In conclusion, the Special Rapporteur strongly reiterated that the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and rule of law at all times were the best defence against conflict, and also against genocide. 50. In addition to his above-mentioned individual statement, the Special Rapporteur contributed with seven other special procedures mandate holders to a joint statement, 3 which was delivered during the same seminar on the prevention of genocide. 51. Reflecting on effective strategies to prevent genocide and other mass atrocities, the eight special procedures mandate holders reaffirmed that owing to their independence, field activities and access to Governments and civil society, they constituted a useful instrument to collate and analyse in-depth information on serious, massive and systematic violations of human rights. They could also provide recommendations to the concerned Governments and the international community on the steps to be taken to defuse tensions at an early stage. Through their reporting to the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, the special procedures endeavoured to contribute to a better understanding of and early warning on complex situations. 52. The eight special procedures mandate holders stressed the necessity for early warnings signals to reach the political and conflict-prevention bodies of the United Nations, in order to allow decision makers at the highest levels to take action with full knowledge of the facts on the ground. In that regard, it was underlined that one of the communication channels that special procedures could rely on more systemically was the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. 53. In conclusion, the eight special procedures mandate holders emphasized that prevention of genocide was an obligation of the international community and therefore constant vigilance by the United Nations was mandatory. At the same time, they also recalled that Member States had the primary responsibility to implement their international obligations. Ultimately, the best prevention against genocide or massive violence was to ensure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, with particular attention to the principle of non-discrimination. 4. Discrimination based on descent 54. During the Durban Review Conference, the Special Rapporteur participated in a side event on “Communities empowered to resist discrimination and exclusion”, organized by the International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism and Lutheran World Federation, on 22 April 2009. 55. Recalling that the issue of discrimination based on descent was addressed by special procedures mandate holders in their joint contribution to the preparatory process of the Durban Review Conference (A/CONF.211/PC/WG.1/5), the Special Rapporteur highlighted that the mandate holders had already expressed their serious concern about this form of discrimination. __________________ 3 09-45097 The joint statement by eight special procedures mandate holders is available online from www2.ohchr.org/english/events/RuleofLaw/docs/SProceduresJointStatement.pdf; see also A/HRC/10/25, paras. 44-50. 13