A/HRC/30/20 B. Contribution of international and regional organizations to prevention 45. International and regional organizations, including the United Nations,89 contribute to the prevention of human rights violations through their respective mandates by supporting States to fulfil their obligations in respect of human rights.90 General Assembly resolution 48/141 specifically mandates OHCHR to “play an active role in removing the current obstacles and in meeting the challenges to the full realization of all human rights and in preventing the continuation of human rights violations throughout the world”. OHCHR provides technical expertise and capacity development to assist governments to fulfil their obligations, support individuals to claim their rights and speak out objectively on human rights violations.91 Further, for example within the Council of Europe, States may seek assistance in preparing laws or assessing their compliance with human rights standards from the Council of Europe Human Rights Directorate and its European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission). 46. The recent launch of the Human Rights up Front (HRuF) initiative has reinforced the crucial role of the United Nations in prevention. HRuF is a United Nations SecretaryGeneral’s initiative designed to ensure that the United Nations system takes early and effective action to prevent or respond to serious and large-scale violations of international human rights or humanitarian law, as mandated by the Charter of the United Nations and resolutions. The primary focus is on prevention and in ensuring that all United Nations entities place the protection of people’s human rights at the heart of United Nations strategies and operational activities,92 while supporting States’ action to discharge their responsibilities. 47. Indeed, many crises are the result of protracted and dynamic processes that have at their root long-lasting patterns of violations of a range of rights that, for not having been addressed early enough, have fuelled instability, violence and conflict. A United Nationswide response requires that early signs of violations are identified and acted upon in a timely manner. For this purpose, the early availability of human rights information and analysis, linking patterns of violations of rights with political and security developments, is key. Alongside United Nations human rights field presences, human rights mechanisms collect a wealth of information on human rights issues, including on gaps in human rights protection, risks of violations and patterns, scale and nature of violations. This information, when effectively analysed, coordinated and channelled, has informed the development of strategies and responses in partnership with States, as well as decisions on the best course of action by the United Nations. By placing the focus on prevention, the HRuF initiative strengthens this link between violations as early warning signs and early action by the United Nations.93 89 90 91 92 93 16 One of the purposes of the United Nations is “to maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace” (Article 1, Charter of the United Nations). The role of the International Criminal Court and similar bodies in complementing and reinforcing national criminal justice processes can also assist in preventing impunity and future human rights violations. Response by Italy. E.g. OHCHR’s report on technical assistance and capacity-building options for integrating human rights into national policies, drawing from worldwide best practices in that field (A/HRC/27/41). Available from http://www.un.org/sg/rightsupfront/. HRuF is beginning to result in changes in the way the United Nations internally approaches situations involving violations. For example, it provided the conceptual cover and institutional backing for the decision by the leadership of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to open the gates of the United Nations compounds to protect civilians seeking shelter. During the crisis in the Central