April 27, 2012

This week President Barack Obama announced the creation of a new government inter-agency group called the Atrocities Prevention Board (APB). The APB is tasked to strengthen the administration’s ability to “foresee, prevent and respond to genocide and mass atrocities.” Should this group truly set out to accomplish its directives, it is imperative that it approaches each conflict with social, political and cultural competency and weigh the moral implications of each solution provided to the problem. The APB should not be selective in choosing which atrocity deserves attention.
 
The genius of the APB's name is that there should be no opposition to the mission. However, a noble name and mission should not go unchecked.
 
The APB will be comprised of members from the intelligence and diplomatic communities. The intelligence aspect will focus on collecting and analyzing “information that allows [us] to better anticipate, understand and counter atrocity threats,” while the diplomatic corps will “encourage more robust multilateral efforts to prevent and respond to atrocities.” Though the makeup of the group is encouraging, in order for the APB to be effective, there must be a multilateral decision making process and approach to assessing conflict.
 
In addition to being up-to-date on atrocities and conflict that may lead to the death of civilians, displaced peoples and regional instability, the APB needs to consider and consult non-governmental organizations. Due to the nature of their work, NGOs have an inside perspective to issues on the ground which may assist the APB in recommending reforms.
 
The APB's creation comes at the perfect time to address issues in Syria with the Assad regime, in Sudan with the crisis in Darfur and in Central Africa with the Lord’s Resistance Army.
 
“The initiative calls for a group of senior administration officials to meet monthly to develop and implement prevention and response policies that will draw upon the specialized tools and reach of all U.S. government agencies,” said President Obama in a released White House statement.
 
Focused action toward conflicts around the world deserve serious attention. And yet, the APB should not give the U.S. license to act as the world’s police. The use of diplomacy before atrocities occur will be in imperative for the successful implementation of our values.
 
Whatever recommendations the APB puts forth should be implemented by an international multilateral agreement. Time will only tell if it turns into just another agency that delivers reports without recommendations that are taken seriously and implemented.
 
With the serious atrocities facing the world, more is needed from an agency than a noble initiative. We as Americans have a moral duty to ensure that our voices are heard when the lives of the innocent are taken and governments are no longer willing to ensure the safety and security of their own people.