Genocide prevention and the State of the Union

Tomorrow night, President Obama is set to deliver the first State of the Union address of his administration. While issues such as Iraq, Afghanistan, the economy, and healthcare are likely to be major themes, Genocide Intervention Network would also like to see the president address another issue of which he spoke frequently on the campaign trail: genocide prevention.

Since President Obama was elected, the Genocide Prevention Task Force, a special governmental task force assigned to investigating whether the government can have a role in preventing genocides and mass human rights atrocities abroad, has released a report full of recommendations on how the administration can actively engage in genocide prevention abroad. Given that national elections are expected this year in two areas Genocide Intervention Network classifies as Areas of Concern: Sudan and Burma, the necessity of a mandate within the Obama administration to actively engage in genocide prevention has never been more timely. GI-NET would like to see this priority reflected in the President's State of the Union address, outlining his administration's plan for genocide prevention.

To make this case to the President, Genocide Intervention Network is asking the wider community of activists to remind the administration that this is an issue the American people care deeply and passionately about. You can make your voice heard by either calling 1-800-Genocide and following instructions to be connected directly to the White House comment line or by following this link to send an email directly to President Obama.

Click here to read a letter to President Obama signed by 16 genocide survivors. Click here to read our press release for this letter.