Executive Order presents comprehensive approach to atrocity prevention

On May 18 the White House released an Executive Order that presents a comprehensive approach to atrocity prevention and response. The Executive Order continues the interagency Atrocities Prevention Board that was established via Presidential Study Directive-10 in 2012; lays out support from executive departments, agencies, and offices; and updates and memorializes the terms on which the Board will continue its mission.

The Executive Order directs that “The Board shall seek to ensure that mass atrocities and the risk thereof are effectively considered and appropriately addressed by the U.S. Government, and shall coordinate the development and execution of policies and tools to enhance our capacity to prevent and respond to mass atrocities.” This includes identifying gaps in current policies and interagency processes related to mass atrocity prevention and response, as well as developing policy recommendations and programmatic recommendations for agencies, offices, and existing interagency processes.

The order also emphasizes the importance of properly staffing, training, and funding mass atrocity prevention and response, and lays out guidelines for the United States Agency for International Development, the Departments of State and Defense, and other government entities.

The Department of State hosted a teleconference on the U.S. government’s comprehensive approach to atrocity prevention and response the same day the Executive Order was released.

For more information about the executive order, please follow the links below.
Executive Order — Comprehensive Approach to Atrocity Prevention and Response, White House
Background Briefing on the U.S. Government’s Comprehensive Approach to Atrocity Prevention and Response, Department of State