A/HRC/41/24 ensure that these vulnerabilities are mitigated or diminished. It requires incorporating into existing mechanisms and structures an analysis of risks that tackles past and/or current vulnerabilities and developing tailored strategies with an atrocity prevention lens in mind. 23. For example, security sector reform can be an important tool for atrocity prevention when designed and implemented through that lens. This is particularly important in postconflict societies which are transitioning from a period of violence to a society based on the rule of law and accountability. Transitional justice processes have inspired security sector reform, including through the establishment of civilian oversight mechanisms that encourage security institutions to comply with human rights obligations. In Northern Ireland, the report of the Independent Commission on Policing (the Patten Commission), established after the 1998 Belfast Agreement, recommended the creation of a civilian oversight mechanism based on lessons learned from the past patterns of violence and abuses by the police force. In 2001, the Northern Ireland Policing Board was established, with representatives of the Legislative Assembly as well as civil society actors. It was tasked with securing an effective and efficient local police service, monitoring the work of the police and overseeing complaints against senior officers and disciplining them, among other duties, and in this way ensuring police accountability and transparency in carrying out its work. B. Regional and subregional initiatives 24. States can contribute to prevention efforts through their membership in regional and subregional networks and other arrangements. Regional and subregional mechanisms can be more effective in responding early to signs of concern and their recommendations better received, as they are well placed to access information and reach out to relevant actors and have a more nuanced understanding of the history and culture involved than international actors may have. As they may also be more directly affected by the consequences of action or inaction, they will likely be more invested in finding a prompt and sustainable solution. 25. Several regional and subregional mechanisms have integrated an atrocity prevention lens into existing conflict prevention mechanisms. The African Union Constitutive Act obligates the Union to intervene in situations of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. In this context, the Union has set up an architecture to respond to atrocity crimes through its standby force. Furthermore, the Union and its regional economic communities have established elaborate conflict early warning mechanisms that are currently under review to include atrocity crimes. 26. In Europe, the European Union Conflict Early Warning System, established in 2017, is an evidence-based risk management tool that identifies, assesses and helps prioritize situations at risk of violent conflict for non-member countries at an early stage. In September 2018, the European External Action Service issued an atrocity prevention toolkit, which was developed with the support of the Office of the Special Advisers, to integrate an atrocity prevention dimension in its early warning system. The toolkit assists the European Union in recognizing and responding to genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing. The Union has also established a network of contact points responsible for investigating and prosecuting persons responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes (the “EU Genocide Network”), which ensures close cooperation between the national authorities of each member State in investigating and prosecuting those crimes. 27. Some regional or subregional arrangements have opted to develop specific atrocity prevention mechanisms. In 2006, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region adopted the Protocol for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and All Forms of Discrimination. Under the Protocol, member States are required to introduce the Protocol into national legislation and enforce its provisions by putting in place laws that will prevent and punish genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity; take measures that will eliminate discrimination; teach and encourage tolerance among national, racial and ethnic groups; and combat impunity and extradite criminals. To implement the Protocol, and with support from the Office of the 6