By Ellen J. Kennedy, Ph.D.,
interim director
December 2008 marked the 60th anniversary of the Genocide Convention. Not coincidentally, the Genocide Prevention Task Force, chaired by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, issued their report on the necessity to prevent and stop genocide.
The report begins by stating that genocide and mass atrocities exact a horrific human toll and also threaten core United States national interests. “They feed on and fuel other threats in weak and corrupt states, with dangerous spillover effects that know no boundaries. If the United States does not engage early in preventing these crimes, we inevitably bear greater costs—in feeding millions of refugees and trying to manage long-lasting regional crises. In addition, U.S. credibility and leadership are compromised when we fail to work with international partners to prevent genocide and mass atrocities.”
The authors conclude in this report that, “preventing genocide is an achievable goal. Genocide is not the inevitable result of ‘ancient hatreds’ or irrational leaders. It requires planning and is carried out systematically. There are ways to recognize its signs and symptoms, and viable options to prevent it at every turn if we are committed and prepared. Preventing genocide is a goal that can be achieved with the right organizational structures, strategies, and partnerships—in short, with the right blueprint.”
Their blueprint is based on the assumption that there must be political will to prevent and stop genocide. The blueprint’s steps include
- recognizing early warning: assessing risks and triggering action
- early prevention: engaging before the crisis
- preventive diplomacy: halting and reversing escalation
- employing military options
- strengthening norms and institutions for international action
We hope that the new administration will implement these critical recommendations.With regard to the Darfur genocide, one important action strategy has been to pursue divestment from companies known to be complicit in support of that crisis. Nationally, 27 states have divested, including Minnesota; 22 cities have divested, including four in Minnesota: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, and Hopkins; 61 colleges and universities have divested, including the University of Minnesota; and the Minnesota State Bar Association is the first professional association in the country to divest.
Indictments
The International Criminal Court has issued indictments against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on 10 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Of the five permanent representatives on the United Nations Security Council with veto power, only France and Britain unequivocally support the ICC decision. Although the United States labeled the crisis “genocide” in 2004, it remains reluctant to pursue a Security Council resolution for an arrest warrant as it does not recognize the ICC and is not currently among the 106 signatory nations. China, not a signatory and with huge economic stakes in Sudan as the largest buyer of its oil, also opposes further action.
The Genocide Prevention Task Force report provides a structure for the United States to improve its role in preventing and stopping genocide.
