In July 2015, the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) Group proposed a “Code of Conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes,” which calls upon all members of the Security Council (both permanent and elected) to not vote against any credible draft resolution intended to prevent or halt mass atrocities. The Code was submitted to the UN Secretary-General on 14 December 2015.

Code of conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes

We, the States Members of the United Nations listed below, who are currently serving or who may in the future serve as members of the Security Council,
Recalling that the members of the United Nations have conferred on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security,
Determined to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,Reaffirming the commitment by the Heads of State and Government of the Members of the United Nations contained in paragraphs 138 and 139 of the World Summit Outcome Document,
Acknowledging that genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes constitute crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, are prohibited under customary international law and can constitute a threat to international peace and security,
Welcoming the Human Rights Up Front Action Plan and the Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes developed by the Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect,Convinced that, in particular where national or regional mechanisms fail, timely and decisive Security Council action may be necessary to prevent or end the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes,

1. Pledge to support timely and decisive action by the Security Council aimed at preventing or ending the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes;
2. Pledge in particular to not vote against a credible draft resolution before the Security Council on timely and decisive action to end the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes, or to prevent such crimes;
3. Invite the Secretary-General, making full use of the expertise and early-warning capacities of the United Nations system, in particular the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, to continue to bring to the attention of the Council situations that, in her or his assessment, involve or are likely to lead to genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes;
4. Pledge to fully and promptly take into account such an assessment by the Secretary-General;
5. Also invite all other Member States of the United Nations to express their commitment to this Code of Conduct.