ECR2P@Hague Report on US Atrocity Prevention

ECR2P@Hague has published a new report, entitled “In the Shadow of Syria: Assessing the Obama Administration’s Efforts on Mass Atrocity Prevention.” It includes an overview, assessment, and lessons of the Obama Administration’s efforts on mass atrocity prevention.

In 2011 President Obama stated that “Preventing mass atrocities and genocide is a core national security interest and a core moral responsibility of the United States.” With experts on mass atrocity prevention, such as Samantha Power, in prominent positions in his administration, Obama made reforms aimed at putting into practice his lofty rhetoric. This included the creation of the Atrocities Prevention Board in 2012.

The Hague Institute’s researchers Tessa Alleblas and Eamon Aloyo in collaboration with Global Public Policy Institute researchers Sarah Brockmeier and Philipp Rotmann, and Mount Holyoke College Professor Jon Western, conducted numerous interviews with officials, NGO experts, and academics to inform the report.

The report carefully addresses the steps the US government took and how these processes played out in nine case studies (Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Kenya, Libya, Myanmar, South Sudan, Syria), and what can be done to improve atrocity prevention policies.