Anchoring accountability for mass atrocities: the permanent support needed to fulfil UN investigative mandates

From Ukraine to Belarus, from Sri Lanka to Syria and South Sudan, to countless other situations in which atrocities are being perpetrated, UN investigations are often established in response to reports of heinous acts. Often while violence is ongoing, UN investigative mandates are tasked with establishing the truth and gathering evidence of what might be international crimes as a way of laying the foundations of future accountability. But how can such investigations be best supported by the international community? How can they be empowered to make real contributions to international justice while preserving their core human rights function? Our in-depth study reveals that the best way to overcome the challenges faced by UN investigations and support their role within the broader international justice ecosystem is to “anchor” their accountability work in a permanent, standing body. Join us as we discuss our main findings and recommendations, including the two potential models we have identified to build and support the UN investigative capacity.