Preventing and addressing violence and atrocities against minorities 2014, para. 81
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Governments can be active perpetrators, that is, directly involved in the commission of crimes by means of security forces or mercenaries, or passive perpetrators, when they do not act to protect a group that is subjected to atrocities by non-State actors. When Governments fail, the international community must take adequate steps to stop violence and crime and hold those responsible accountable. There must be a preference for peaceful means: international diplomacy, negotiation and mediation, along with humanitarian assistance. If given consent, a United Nations peacekeeping operation must strive to bring to an end the deliberate action or inaction of the Government, and obtain credible guarantees that the Government will assume and/or resume its responsibility to protect.