A/HRC/10/25 page 12 42. While the activities of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide are, on the whole, positive, there does not appear to be much purpose in following the recommendation by the Advisory Committee on the Prevention of Genocide to raise the rank of the Special Adviser to that of Under-Secretary-General (A/HRC/7/37, para. 15). The rank of Assistant Secretary-General is perfectly adequate for the fulfilment of his responsibilities. 43. The Russian Federation also stated that the systemization of information on genocide or serious human rights violations, as mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General (A/HRC/7/37, para. 21) also deserves specific attention. The Special Adviser should work continuously to check and recheck the reliability of the information and evidence he receives from different sources, in order to avoid making accusations against any State on the basis of facts or reports that might turn out to be unfounded, disproved or severely exaggerated. III. SPECIAL PROCEDURES OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 44. Special procedures mandate-holders have a number of characteristics within their mandates that make their work on the prevention of genocide relevant. In particular, by their independence, field activities and access to Governments and civil society, they are able to collate and impartially analyse in-depth information on serious, massive and systematic violations of human rights. Mandate-holders can also provide an independent and holistic assessment of the situation and make recommendations on the steps to be taken by concerned Governments and the international community at large to defuse tensions at an early stage. 45. Mandate-holders are also able, through the communications regularly sent to Governments, to draw attention to emerging problems, including patterns of human rights violations, such as extrajudicial executions, torture, mass arbitrary arrests and detention or disappearances and sexual violence, as well as serious violations of economic, social and cultural rights, which could forebode a potentially genocidal situation. By reporting to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, they also contribute to a better understanding of, and provide early warnings on, complex situations, for example involving systemic anathematization, exclusion and discrimination that might lead to crimes against humanity, genocide and other mass atrocities. 46. Mandate-holders have recalled that historically, situations of escalating tensions and polarization along ethnic, racial, religious or national lines, aggravated by State inaction or complicity, have often degenerated into mass atrocities, including crimes against humanity and genocide. Particular groups within society, for example minorities, indigenous peoples and women, may be particularly vulnerable when violence breaks out. While it is true that not all situations of tension and polarization along ethnic, racial, religious or national lines lead to genocide or crimes against humanity, it is nonetheless essential that early warning signs be constantly monitored, and indicators employed, so that timely responses can be devised, including of a diplomatic or political nature. 47. To illustrate the potential role of the special procedures as an early warning tool, reference is made to the situation leading to the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. A year before the outbreak of violence, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, arbitrary or summary executions visited Rwanda and concluded that the cases of intercommunal violence brought to his attention indicated very clearly that the victims of the attacks, Tutsis in their overwhelming majority of cases, had been targeted solely because of their membership of a certain ethnic group