Our Mission
Mission
Genocide Watch exists to predict, prevent, stop, and punish genocide and other forms of mass murder. We seek to raise awareness and influence public policy concerning potential and actual genocide. Our purpose is to build an international movement to prevent and stop genocide.
Vision
We address genocide as it is defined in the Genocide Convention: “the intentional destruction, in whole or in part, of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, as such.” We also address political mass murder, mass rape, and other genocide-like crimes. Genocide Watch is the coordinating organization of The Alliance Against Genocide (AAG), an international coalition of organizations. The AAG aims to educate the general public and policymakers about the causes, processes, and warning signs of genocide; to create the institutions and political will to prevent and stop genocide; and to bring perpetrators of genocide to justice.
Objectives
Education
We work to raise public consciousness of genocide as a global problem and to raise awareness of specific high-risk situations. Genocide Watch provides education to the public about how and why genocide develops, including early warning signs of threats of mass killing and reports on current genocidal situations. Our reports are posted on our websites, sent to the member organizations in the Alliance Against Genocide, and sent to U.S. Congress, the U.S. State Department, major newspapers, and to the United Nations.
Prediction
Genocide Watch uses predictive models such as Dr. Gregory Stanton’s “The Ten Stages of Genocide” to analyze high-risk situations for the purpose of education, policy analysis, and advocacy. We monitor high-risk areas; declare Genocide Watches, Warnings, and Emergencies; and recommend options for governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations to prevent genocide. Genocide Watch proposed and lobbied for the creation of the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, and we send all of our reports to the Special Adviser, who is on our Board of Advisors.
Prevention
Using the resources from Alliance Against Genocide members and other international organizations with on-the-ground field staff, Genocide Watch uses our understanding of the genocidal process to prepare options papers for policymakers, recommending specific actions to prevent genocide in high-risk areas.
Intervention
Once genocidal massacres have begun, intervention may be necessary to halt genocide. Genocide Watch coordinates work by the AAG to promote U.N., regional, and authorized national forces' rapid response, including effective mandates and funding and the political will to intervene. We support the creation of a standing U.N. Rapid Response Force under Articles 43 – 47 of the U.N. Charter.
Justice
To seek justice for victims and survivors, punish perpetrators, deter future genocides, and facilitate the transition from divided societies to peaceful coexistence, we support national justice systems, special national and international tribunals, The International Criminal Court, and truth and reconciliation commissions.