Genocide Prevention Resources for Military

Members of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees assist civilians fleeing violence in Syria, February 2014. *—Lucian Perkins for the US Holocaust Memorial Museum*

These resources reflect US and international efforts to prevent and respond to genocide today and may be of particular interest to military and government professionals. Learn more about the Museum’s work to prevent genocide.

Key Texts

Fundamentals of Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (2016) This book, written by Dr. Scott Straus and geared toward practitioners and students seeking a preliminary introduction to key issues, surveys research and policy questions at the heart of efforts to prevent genocide and mass atrocities. In 2022, author Scott Straus wrote an updated author’s note reflecting on the state of genocide and mass atrocity prevention since the book’s launch.
Preventing Genocide: A Blueprint for U.S. Policymakers (2008) Created by the Genocide Prevention Task Force,This report provides a blueprint for the US government to better respond to threats of genocide and mass atrocities. Chapter 5 (PDF) considers military options.
MARO: Mass Atrocity Response Operations: A Military Planning Handbook (PDF) (2010) "The MARO Military Planning Handbook explains why MAROs present unique operational challenges and provides framing and planning tools to prepare the military."
MAPRO: Mass Atrocity Prevention and Response Options: A Policy Planning Handbook (PDF) (2012)
Protection of Civilians Military Reference Guide (2018)
- _Protection of Civilians: Looking Forward (_January 31, 2018). This panel featured MG Kem from the US Army War College, Alison Giffen from the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), and Dr. Sarah Sewall from the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and explored the the challenges and opportunities for enhancing protection of civilian norms.

Military Doctrine

ATP 3-07.6, Protection of Civilians (PDF) (October 2015)
JP 3-07, Stability (August 2016)
JP 3-0, Joint Operations (January 2017)
Protection of Civilians Military Reference Guide (PKSOI, 2018)
JP 3-07.3, Peace Operations (PDF), Appendix B, "Protection of Civilians" (March 2018)
[U.S. Department of Defense Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan](https://media.defense.gov/2022/Aug/25/2003064740/-1/-1/1/CIVILIAN-HARM-MITIGATI ON-AND-RESPONSE-ACTION-PLAN.PDF) (CHMR-AP) (August 2022)

Learn More

Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide

The Museum’s Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide is dedicated to stimulating timely global action to prevent genocide and to catalyze an international response when genocide does occur.

Read essential documents

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (PDF) (1948)
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (PDF) (1998)
Responsibility to Protect (R2P) (2001)
2005 World Summit Outcome adopted by the UN General Assembly (2005; see paragraphs 138-140 on R2P)
Presidential Study Directive on Mass Atrocities (PSD-10) (2011)
- Assessment of US Government Atrocity Prevention Training Programs (PDF) (2016) This report examines the progress the APB, sub-APB, and three key agencies (State, USAID, and certain DoD components) have made to improve and expand training on atrocity prevention since the PSD-10 first recommended further action. It also identifies opportunities for improvement and makes specific recommendations on what the APB and agencies could do to strengthen and expand existing training and education efforts.
UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes (PDF) (2014)
Executive Order - Comprehensive Approach to Atrocity Prevention and Response (May 2016)
USAID Field Guide: Helping Prevent Mass Atrocities (April 2015)
Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act (PDF) (2018)
Report to Congress Pursuant to Section 5 of the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-441) (July 2022)
United States Strategy to Anticipate, Prevent, and Respond to Atrocities (July 2022)

Watch significant speeches

President Barack Obama’s 2012 speech on genocide prevention announced the creation of the Atrocity Prevention Board.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2012 speech at the Museum addressed the Obama administration’s approach to atrocity prevention.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein’s 2015 speech emphasized the connection between human rights and atrocity prevention.