Secretary-General, Saddened by Passing of Edward Luck, Hails Former Special Adviser’s Role in Protection against Atrocity Crimes

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General is saddened by the passing of former United Nations Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, Edward C. Luck, on 16 February.

During his tenure as Special Adviser, from 2008 to 2012, Mr. Luck was instrumental in advancing the conceptual and institutional development of the commitment of the international community to protect populations from genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Under the leadership of Mr. Luck, the “Responsibility to Protect” — as adopted at the 2005 high-level World Summit — was conceptualized as a commitment by the United Nations to advance national and international efforts for the prevention of atrocity crimes.

Mr. Luck was a prestigious scholar, author and leading expert on United Nations affairs who contributed to the Organization in many ways.  Our work in this area will constitute an enduring part of his legacy.

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to Mr. Luck’s family and friends.