4. Many voices pleaded with us to intervene as a global community. Many
who spoke, have seen devastating loss within their families and
communities, experienced widespread ethnic cleansing, been part of
mass movement of peoples in search of survival, driven out of their
homes by violence, grinding poverty or dwindling resources. They
highlight how forces of law and order have failed in protecting their
dignity and worth, and on occasion, have been complicit in the root
causes of these suffering. I add my voice to theirs in calling for a
collaborative approach to ensure these violations are stopped, and that
security and a return to a just and inclusive order becomes a priority.
The police and criminal justice system need to be our allies in this battle
and I call upon them to do what they, for the most part, do well: to serve
in the interests of creating ordered and just societies.
5. We have heard, from our experts and others, of the plethora of
international standards that exist around the world. The solutions to our
problems will not be stumbled upon by chance, but rather, need to be
painstakingly plotted, with the best design in mind, to ensure that the
vast time spent by State parties negotiating these standards, is not
wasted as animated rhetoric.
6. We have heard from Member States of the challenges they face. Some
have offered insights from their practice, others have offered support
for the project of creating more robust and inclusive criminal justice
systems. The presence of States throughout the duration of this forum is
the best indicator that they too are seeking answers to questions - the
first crucial step for any collaborative effort in seeking solutions.
7. The time for talk, at this forum anyway, has nearly ended. Beyond this
we must commit to act: to continue to critique society and highlight
injustices that exist, but to move beyond, to collaborate and construct
the solutions that will give us the societies we want to live in. How can
these become reality?
8. Well let’s imagine what a good outcome for this Forum may be. It would
include, first, acceptance by stakeholders and society, in the need for
significant change. Second, it must include the idea that meaningful
change would not be feasible if it did not include all segments of a State’s
population. Third, perhaps acceptance that collaborative solutions are
more likely to work than isolated ones? That engaging in new or
continuing dialogue between State and minority is better than
confrontation? That if we re-live old antagonisms and well-worn
complaints, we are likely to arrive at the same outcome time and again?
9. If we believe the future will resemble the past, it most likely will. Instead
we need to challenge our own assumptions, and put aside our own
prejudices, to ensure that the future is a better and significantly more
inclusive version of the past.