Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act

On May 17th, 2017, Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) introduced the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2017 (S.1158) in Senate. There are currently 24 cosponsors, one of which is Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

The Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act will work to prevent acts of genocide and other atrocious crimes by enhancing U.S. Government capacities to prevent, mitigate, and respond to such crisis. Since its introduction in Senate, the bill has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

This Act clearly defines the policy of the United States in regards to genocide and other atrocity crimes. The United States is to view genocide and other atrocity crimes as a core national security interest and moral responsibility. Additionally, the United States has the responsibility to address the root causes of insecurity and violent conflict in order to prevent any tragedies from occurring.

In order to prevent and respond to the risk of genocide and other atrocity crimes, it is critical that the United States strengthens the response capacities of the government, improves the use of foreign assistance to respond early, and supports other countries in their pursuit of atrocity crimes prevention. The main focus of this Act is to utilize all resources available in order to produce the most efficient response.

Within 180 days of this Act being enacted, and every 3 years thereafter for the following 6 years, the Secretary and the Task Force shall submit a report that includes a review consisting of: an evaluation of the efficacy of current efforts, an assessment of the funding expended by Federal agencies on atrocity crime prevention activities, annual global assessments of sources of instability, conflict, and atrocity crimes, recommendations to strengthen US capabilities, and recommendations to prevent and respond to atrocity.

The Task Force review will submitted to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House.

Senator Rob Portman is a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations. Call Senator Portman and urge him to vote YES on the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2017, in order to pursue a more peaceful and nonviolent world. – 513-684-3265 (Cincinnati), 202-224-3353 (DC)