Originally published on the CGS blog on November 14, 2011.
Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter in the Senate, asking their fellow Senators to sign on in support of genocide and atrocity prevention.
The letter, which will be sent to President Obama once it has been circulated to other Senators for their sign-on, commends the Obama Administration’s recently issued Presidential Study Directive (PSD) 10, which created an Atrocities Prevention Board and stated that preventing genocide and mass atrocities is in America’s national interest. The letter urges the Administration to develop the necessary tools to successfully avert mass atrocities and prevent the conditions that can lead to violence against innocent civilians.
The letter reiterates the principles of S. Con. Res. 71, which passed unanimously in the 111th Congress urging the administration to conduct an interagency review to evaluating existing capacities for anticipating, preventing, and responding to genocide and other mass atrocities. Finally, the letter urges the Administration to establish coordinating mechanisms between Congress and the Board, and consider a whole of government approach to atrocities prevention.
It’s heartening that Senators Coons and Collins recognize the importance of genocide and mass atrocity prevention and are seeking the support of their colleagues in the chamber. I hope that all Senators will sign onto the Coons-Collins letter. Please take a moment to contact your Senators (visit www.senate.gov for their office contact info) and urge them to support the Coons-Collins Dear Colleague letter on genocide and atrocity prevention!
