Bipartisan measure seeks to aid genocide prevention

House members advanced this week legislation designed to aid in preventing acts of genocide and mass atrocity crimes.

The Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, enhances commitment to and resources for preventing, mitigating and responding to crises. It advanced the House by a 406-5 margin.

“We have a moral obligation to protect and support those targeted by genocide and mass violence,” Donovan said. “This bill reiterates the commitment to these principles and ensures our nation is better prepared to identify and respond to atrocities. This is about saving innocent lives and creating a more stable and prosperous global community.”

The core focus of the bill is to identify that it is a priority to regard the prevention of genocide and other atrocity crimes as a core national security interest and moral responsibility. It would also establish a Mass Atrocities Task Force within the State Department to assist genocide prevention and response efforts, recommend the Director of National Intelligence include atrocity crime information in annual reports to Congress on threats to national security, and provide training for Foreign Services Officers in conflict and atrocity prevention.

Donovan voted to support the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act of 2017 and pass a House resolution declaring ISIS atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities genocide. He is also a member of the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combatting Anti-Semitism.