What is the Campaign to End Genocide?

The Campaign to End Genocide is a broad-based, grassroots-oriented effort to establish both the international institutions and political will necessary to prevent and stop genocide. It is an initiative of Citizens for Global Solutions, headquartered in Washington, DC.

Ending genocide in the 21st century requires a two-pronged approach: on the one hand, the countries of the world must have the political will to take action, and, on the other, they need effective mechanisms to prevent or end genocide once political will is established. 

Despite enormous public support for action - even military action - to prevent, stop and punish genocide and other mass human rights violations, and a growing recognition that these crimes can and must be stopped, countries are often unwilling to take action against genocide. Part of the problem is that public support for action rarely takes the form of concerted, organized public pressure on governments. Another part is that countries are often unwilling to take action when the situation does not directly affect what they define as their national interest. To overcome the problem of political will it is necessary that citizens call out for action and make clear their belief that stopping genocide is indeed in the national interest. 

But even deciding to take action is futile unless the ability to act effectively is present. It is increasingly clear that no single nation can or should shoulder the burden of ensuring international peace and security for all people. Individual countries have neither the resources nor the authority to take action in every situation of genocide or potential genocide. Thus, states are justifiably turning to the United Nations, the only universal-membership organization mandated to ensure international peace and human rights.

Unfortunately, today the United Nations does not have the ability to prevent, stop and punish genocide. There is no systematic early warning of potential genocides to let the Security Council know when genocide is likely. Its political and peacekeeping departments are understaffed and under funded. Any one of the five permanent members of the Security Council can veto military or civilian missions. It lacks a strong and effective military force capable of rapid reaction to situations of incipient violence.  Until capable, effective international institutions are empowered to act when nations cannot, will not, or should not, bringing an end to genocide will be impossible.