Frameworks
“How can atrocities be prevented?”
“What steps are necessary for successful prevention?”
“Who is supposed to prevent atrocities?”
Atrocity prevention frameworks aim to answer these questions, acting as the foundations on which prevention efforts can, and should, be carried out.
Responsibility to Protect (R2P)
UN doctrine advancing States’ responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. Since the creation of R2P in 2005, its 3 pillars outline that each Member State has the responsibility to protect their population, that the International community should support States’ protection efforts, and that the International community should intervene when protection is failing. According to the R2P doctrine, preventing atrocity crimes ought to be ensured peacefully, with military intervention being used solely as a measure of last resort.
UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes
UN-produced tool for the integrated analysis and risk assessment of atrocity crimes. It is an in-depth list and explanation of the risk factors of atrocities and their respective indicators, applicable to identify atrocities before they happen and dangerous contexts where they could potentially happen. Published in 2014 as an improved version of the 2009 framework specific to genocide, it advocates for the use of peaceful measures first and foremost, and if all else fails, the use of coercive measures and force.
UN Legal Framework of Genocide and Related crimes
Set of treaties, laws, and conventions that regulate and justify UN measures to prevent, respond to, and punish genocide and its related crimes. The list is divided to account for International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law, and encompasses legal and humanitarian accords that challenge and punish discriminatory, violent, and inhumane practices.
Supplement for existing atrocity prevention frameworks, aimed at assessing and filling gaps in implementation. Published in 2023, it provides numerous actions for States to take for developing and improving their own prevention of atrocities, with suggestions and recommendations addressing all levels of implementation. Main areas of focus are on implementation at the National level, Bilateral Cooperation and Influencing, Regional Cooperation, and Multilateral Cooperation.
EU Responsibility to Protect – Atrocity Prevention Toolkit
EU-produced tool for atrocity prevention, focused on both analysis and action. Published in 2018 to target EU Delegations, it provides information on structural risk indicators, imminent warning signs, and how to respond to warnings. By encouraging aid programs, research initiatives, and policymaking dialogue, the toolkit aims to strengthen local resilience for prevention in order to minimize intervention.
UK Approach to Preventing Mass Atrocities
UK strategy on dealing with, de-escalating, and reporting of atrocities. The strategy involves early-warning tools and reporting mechanisms, diplomatic and de-escalation measures, supporting research and investigations, and defense tools. It also ensures active support of the R2P.
US State Department – U.S. Strategy to Anticipate, Prevent, and Respond to Atrocities
Governmental strategy on coordinating action for the prevention of atrocities. Established in 2022, the strategy is governmentally supported due to the Elie Wiesel Act of 2018, which regards atrocity prevention as in the US national interest. This strategy outlines actions and goals to follow to prevent atrocities, as well as methods to encourage and promote them.
US State Department – Atrocity Risk Assessment Framework (ARAF)
US-produced framework to identify atrocities, recognize and mitigate their risk, and ensure their assessment. This 2022 framework educates policymakers on which actors to account for, which risk factors to identify, and what an atrocity assessment ought to include and discuss.
US Mass Atrocity Response Operations (MARO)
US strategy of approaching atrocity prevention through planned military intervention. The MARO handbook provides information on how to plan and execute military actions to ensure the safekeeping of civilians. Although it mainly targets ongoing atrocities, this type of approach can be used for atrocity prevention too, especially through peacekeeping operations.
Framework tool for atrocity prevention with a gender lens, focused on recommendations and existing gaps. This 2019 document by AP scholar Sarah Teitt provides information on the reasons and manners to concretely carry out gender-sensitive atrocity prevention, both for structural, direct, and late-stage prevention efforts.