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.
Interview with recently appointed United Nations Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Ms. Karen Smith
9 Apr 2019
What do you see as the main challenge today to effectively implement atrocity prevention both at the national and international level?
The consensus that was reached on the prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity at the 2005 World Summit has, unfortunately, not led to an overall prioritization of atrocity prevention. This gap between the commitment of states in theory and the reality of implementation is only widening. We see this when states fail to take action in the face not only of the risk of atrocity crimes, but even when there are strong allegations that they have been or are being committed. We also see this when states look the other way when there are tensions within their own borders that, if not addressed, could eventually lead to dynamics conducive to the risk of R2P crimes and violations.
Youth Association for Development Research Report
9 Apr 2019
The Youth Association for Development, a GAAMAC’s partner based in Pakistan, recently released a research report as part of its Women, Peace and Security Project.
Civil Society and Inclusive Peace. Key insights and lessons from a global consultation convened on Peace Insight
27 Mar 2019
Peace Direct teamed up with the Inclusive Peace & Transition Initiative (IPTI) and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) to look into the dynamics of inclusivity and peacebuilding.
Atrocities as the New Normal: Time to Re-Energize the “Never Again” Movement
7 Feb 2019
Human Rights Watch’s Deputy Director for Global Advocacy has written an impassioned piece for more action to be taken to prevent and end atrocities.
The play “Breaking the Silence” to tour Cambodia, carrying a message of reconciliation
15 Jan 2019
A play that premiered ten years ago in Cambodia is making a return in 2019, aimed at promoting understanding and reconciliation.
“If not now, when?”: The Responsibility to Protect, the Fate of the Rohingya and the Future of Human Rights
11 Jan 2019
New occasional paper by Dr. Simon Adams, Executive Director of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect.
Podcast: 12 Years That Shook the World
4 Jan 2019
The US Holocaust Memorial Museum has created a podcast series examining the impact of the Holocaust both then and now.
Is Genocide Predictable? Researchers Say Absolutely
21 Dec 2018
Genocide is predictable. On this, researchers and experts agree. What data should be examined to be able to make a prediction is however subject to debate.
Implementing the Responsibility to Protect in the Asia Pacific: An Assessment of Progress and Challenges
20 Dec 2018
The Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect has released a new study evaluating the efforts of the 20 states within the Asia Pacific region to implement the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) nationally and regionally.
Third Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide
11 Dec 2018
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia hosted the Third Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide from 9 to 11 December 2018 in Yerevan. The theme of this third Global Forum was genocide prevention through education, culture and museums.
Beyond Killing: Gender, Genocide, and Obligations Under International Law
7 Dec 2018
The Global Justice Center has released the first comprehensive legal analysis of the gender-based crime of genocide in a report titled Beyond Killing: Gender, Genocide, and Obligations Under International Law.
Genocide and other Atrocity Crimes: Toward Remedies
29 Nov 2018
Joachim J. Savelsberg of the University of Minnesota has published a book chapter in Global Agenda for Social Justice titled "Genocide and other Atrocity Crimes: Toward Remedies".
Making "never again" a reality: What Germany can contribute during its next term in the Security Council toward preventing mass atrocities
28 Nov 2018
In a recent publication by the Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, the authors outline a proposal for how Germany should use its 2019-2020 seat on the UN Security Council to advance atrocity prevention. Noting that its membership offers the...
Khmer Rouge trials remind us of importance of justice for survivors
16 Nov 2018
A landmark judgment by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) reminds us that justice is vital for the survivors of atrocities.
Vergangenheitsarbeit und Prävention von Gräueltaten miteinander verknüpfen
14 Nov 2018
GAAMAC Chair Mô Bleeker has written a blog post for PeaceLab, in which she calls upon Switzerland and Germany to work together to find solutions to dealing with the past and atrocity prevention (in German).
Independent Assessment of the Human Rights Impact of Facebook in Myanmar
6 Nov 2018
Facebook has responded to an independent assessment of its human rights impact in Myanmar, which it had mandated and which was carried out by Business for Social Responsibility (BSR).
International Declaration on Information and Democracy
6 Nov 2018
The International Declaration on Information and Democracy stresses that the communication and information space is a common good and has social, cultural and democratic value, which must be protected.
Preventing Mass Atrocities
5 Nov 2018
Ramesh Thakur stresses the importance of R2P as a global norm, which represents "an acceptance of the duty of care by all of us".
The Rohingya Genocide: Compilation and Analysis of Survivors’ Testimonies
25 Oct 2018
The Centre for the Study of Genocide and Justice (CSGJ) of the Liberation War Museum published its report on The Rohingya Genocide: Compilation and Analysis of Survivors’ Testimonies.
Six Steps to End Sexual Violence in War
17 Oct 2018
Melanne Verveer and Zainab Bangura recommend six steps to end sexual violence in conflict.