Washington, D.C. – A new 12-page strategy released by the U.S. Department of State outlines the Biden Administration’s efforts to address mass atrocities including genocide, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing by focusing on “prevention, response and recovery or combination thereof.”
“The Assembly commends President Biden’s respect for human rights and ongoing work towards the prevention of future genocides as we call for democracy in Artsakh,” said Assembly Co-Chairs Van Krikorian and Anthony Barsamian. “This document and the Administration’s commitment to putting a halt to atrocities around the world applies directly to the Armenian people in Artsakh, who were victims of ethnic cleansing during the 2020 War on Artsakh. We also recognize the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during the Armenian Genocide of 1915, which President Biden reaffirmed as U.S. policy on April 24, 2021.”
The core elements highlighted in the document include the U.S. government taking action to “anticipate, prevent, and respond to atrocities,” in coordination with allied governments, civil society, and international and local partners.
The strategy document also highlights related policy initiatives, including the U.S. Democracy and Human Rights Agenda (2021), which states that the “Biden Administration has articulated that supporting democracy, protecting human rights, and fighting corruption are central to U.S. national security, and emphasized that human rights must be at the center of U.S. foreign policy. Democracy and human rights activities will support atrocity prevention by promoting legitimate, transparent, and inclusive political, economic, and social systems that reduce fragility; increase resiliency; mitigate risks of violent conflict and instability; and advance equity, inclusion, dignity, and freedom for all.”
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The report was produced in accord with The Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018, which the Assembly supported, and that underscored President Biden’s affirmation that atrocity prevention and the promotion of respect for human rights are central to U.S. national security, stating, “I recommit to the simple truth that preventing future genocides remains both our moral duty and a matter of national and global importance…When hatred goes unchecked, and when the checks and balances in government and society that protect fundamental freedoms are lost, violence and mass atrocities can result.”
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization
This photo of the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial in Armenia is featured on page 3 of the U.S. Department of State’s new document titled: “United States Strategy to Anticipate, Prevent, and Respond to Atrocities.”
