News
As a service to the atrocity prevention community, GAAMAC posts news directly relevant to atrocity prevention. The opinions expressed in the news articles do not represent the views of GAAMAC, its Steering Group or any partner organization.
Do we need to do more than just talk? Strategies and initiatives to combat hate speech and hate crimes in Europe
12 Nov 2020
The fight against hate speech and hate crimes can only succeed if state and civil society work together. A binding legal framework, dialogue and education must go hand in hand. This was the conclusion reached by the panelists of the event "Addressing Hate Speech in Europe" at Geneva Peace Week.
Alice Wairimu Nderitu appointed new Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
12 Nov 2020
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Alice Wairimu Nderitu of Kenya as Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.
Women and atrocity prevention: an article by Karen Smith
28 Oct 2020
We now know from evidence-based research that there are clear linkages between the promotion and protection of women’s rights and the prevention of atrocity crimes.
Recovering from the COVID-19 crisis: 10 lessons learned from a gender perspective
27 Oct 2020
Juliet Nakyanzi, CEO of GAAMAC partner Platform for Social Justice in Uganda reflects on the lessons learned from COVID-19 in terms of preventing mass atrocities from a gender perspective.
Preventing conflict-related sexual violence within armed forces: CADHA’s good practices
27 Oct 2020
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Security Council (SC) Resolution 1325, GAAMAC reached out to Mr Bakari Sidiki Diaby, General Coordinator of the African Coordination of Human Rights for Armies (CADHA), and member of GAAMAC African Working Group. CADHA is an organization with an excellent track record in preventing conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence among armed forces.
The Secretary General of La Francophonie warns against hate speech
19 Oct 2020
In a press release, the Secretary General of La Francophonie, Ms. Louise Mushikiwabo, calls for vigilance against hate speech, particularly in the context of the electoral processes underway in the member states and governments of La Francophonie. She encourages all actors to show tolerance and restraint in all circumstances.
GAAMAC Chair Mo Bleeker on Swiss Radio
12 Oct 2020
GAAMAC chair Mo Bleeker spoke to Swiss radio about reconciliation and atrocity prevention. Listen to the show here or below (in French only).
GAAMAC Chair statement on International Day of Peace 2020
21 Sep 2020
Today, we celebrate, commemorate and raise awareness about the importance of peace and a culture of non-violence.
UN publishes 12th report of the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect
9 Sep 2020
The United Nations recently published its 12th report of the UN Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P): “Prioritizing prevention and strengthening response: Women and the responsibility to protect”.
Adama Dieng steps down as UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
19 Aug 2020
After more than eight years as UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Mr. Adama Dieng is stepping down to turn his focus “to strengthening transparency and rule of law across Africa as well as reinforcing the dialogue between civil society and major institutions in Africa”, announced the UN.
Human Rights Council adopts resolution to mark 15th anniversary of R2P
28 Jul 2020
On 17 July 2020, the Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted a resolution on the “Fifteenth anniversary of the responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, as enshrined in the 2005 World Summit Outcome” by a vote of 32 in favour, 1 against and 14 abstentions.
Online workshops on ‘hate speech’ in Cameroon, South Sudan and Sudan
10 Jul 2020
GAAMAC partner Rights for Peace is organising a series of online workshops to provide training for local activists in analysing incidents connected to 'hate speech' in conflict countries in relation to human rights frameworks on incitement to genocide, discrimination or violence.
Online course opportunity: Conflict-Related Atrocity Crimes Prevention
2 Jul 2020
The Auschwitz institute for the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities is now recruiting for the inaugural offering of its Conflict-Related Atrocity Crimes Prevention (CRACP) online course, a new initiative supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland.
The impact of COVID-19 on transitional justice and atrocity prevention
26 Jun 2020
“This pandemic has shed light on existing vulnerabilities of all our societies; if not addressed early on, these vulnerabilities can become risk factors that lead to atrocities in the future and may hamper transitional justice efforts”, said Mô Bleeker, GAAMAC Chair and Special Envoy for Dealing with the Past and Atrocity Prevention at the Swiss Federal Department of Federal Affairs, in her opening statement. She was speaking during an online discussion on how COVID-19 has affected atrocity prevention and transitional justice efforts which took place on 18 June 2020. The event was organised by the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience in partnership with GAAMAC.
GAAMAC Africa Working Group meets online
23 Jun 2020
On 9 June 2020, members of the GAAMAC Africa Working Group (AWG), an initiative created in 2016 during the GAAMAC II global meeting in Manila, Philippines, met online to discuss the next steps of their collaboration on strengthening atrocity prevention in the African region.
New “Digital Inclusion for Peace” initiative for local peacebuilders
26 May 2020
The Shift Power for Peace partnership of Conducive Space for Peace, Humanity United and GAAMAC partner Peace Direct, has created “Digital Inclusion for Peace”, a new initiative to support local peacebuilders to continue and adapt their work during the current COVID-19 crisis.
GAAMAC IV postponed until 2021
19 May 2020
After careful consideration, GAAMAC’s Steering Group has decided to postpone the GAAMAC IV Global Meeting until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The shameful resurgence of violent scapegoating in a time of crisis
13 May 2020
Countering the rising wave of anti-Roma hatred, hate speech, and violence associated with responses to the pandemic is an urgent European priority, warn Margareta Matache, Jacqueline Bhabha and GAAMAC Steering Group member Dr Jennifer Leaning.
What can we learn from COVID-19? A parallel between public health and atrocity prevention
5 May 2020
In a new series of conversations, GAAMAC chair Mô Bleeker and Dr Jennifer Leaning, Harvard Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, discuss what we can learn from COVID-19 and which parallels can be drawn between the concept of prevention in public health and the prevention of mass atrocities.
Third Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide event book now available online
1 May 2020
The event book about the Third Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide is now available online.