On May 14th, the House introduced H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010-2011, which includes language requiring reports on the U.S. capacity to prevent genocide and mass atrocities. Section 1002 of the Bill specifically invokes the Genocide Prevention Task Force report,
“The December 2008 Report of the Genocide Prevention Task Force, co-chaired by former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen offers a valuable blueprint for strengthening United States capacities to help prevent genocide and mass atrocities,” and calls for a feasibility assessment of implementing some key report recommendations and recommends to further strengthen U.S. capacity to prevent genocide and mass atrocities. In addition to the inclusion of language on atrocity prevention rather than response, this is significant because it also paves the way for the Senate to support key provisions from the House State Authorization Bill.
Policy Language: SEC. 1002. REPORT ON UNITED STATES CAPACITIES TO PREVENT GENOCIDE AND MASS ATROCITIES.
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:
(1) The lack of an effective government-wide strategy and adequate capacities for preventing genocide and mass atrocities against civilians undermines the ability of the United States to contribute to the maintenance of global peace and security and protect vital United States interests.
(2) The December 2008 Report of the Genocide Prevention Task Force, co-chaired by former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen offers a valuable blueprint for strengthening United States capacities to help prevent genocide and mass atrocities. (3) Specific training and staffing will enhance the diplomatic capacities of the Department of State to help prevent and respond to threats of genocide and mass atrocities. (b) REPORT.—
(1) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report outlining specific plans for the development of a government-wide strategy and the strengthening of United States civilian capacities for preventing genocide and mass atrocities against civilians.
(2) CONTENT.—The report required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) An evaluation of current mechanisms for government-wide early warning, information-sharing, contingency planning, and coordination of effort to prevent and respond to situations of genocide, mass atrocities, and other mass violence.
(B) An assessment of current capacities within the Department of State, including specific staffing and training, for early warning, preventive diplomacy, and crisis response to help avert genocide and mass atrocities.
(C) An evaluation of United States foreign assistance programs and mechanisms directed toward the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities, including costs, challenges to implementation, and successes of such programs and mechanisms.
(D) An assessment of the feasibility, effectiveness, and potential costs of implementing key recommendations made by the Genocide Prevention Task Force, including the establishment of an Atrocities Prevention Committee within the National Security Council and increased annual and contingency funding for the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities.
(E) Recommendations to further strengthen United States capacities to help prevent genocide, mass atrocities, and other mass violence, including enhanced early warning mechanisms, strengthened diplomatic capacities of the Department of State, and improved use of United States foreign assistance.