GENOCIDE PREVENTION PROJECT LAUNCHED

armradio.am
23.12.2008 10:39

The Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern Region (ANCA-ER)
welcomes the launching of Genocide Prevention Project (GPP), a newly
created organization working to expand the outreach and mobilization
of advocacy action during times of mass atrocity and genocide.

"The ANCA is very enthusiastic about the launch of Genocide Prevention
Project as an invaluable tool to help end the cycle of genocide,"
said ANCA ER Executive Director Karine Birazian. "We look forward to
working with their New York headquarters to expand the anti-genocide
constituency in the United States, as part of the effort to end the
Darfur genocide and prevent future crimes against humanity."

Originally launched in 2007 under the banner "Dream for Darfur," GPP
activists called on 2008 Olympics host country, China, to encourage
Sudan to end atrocities committed against the people of Darfur. The
effort drew international attention, spotlighting the ongoing genocide
in the region, which has already cost some 400,000 lives. Following
the Olympics closing ceremonies, GPP expanded its efforts and began
work with survivors and the anti-genocide constituency on a wide rang
of genocide prevention efforts.

"The best way to stop genocide is to prevent it from happening," said
Jill Savitt, Executive Director of the Genocide Prevention Project. "We
are organizing survivors of past genocides, and their descendants=2
0and friends, to call on the global community to adopt a prevention
framework – pro-active diplomatic activity at the earliest stages of
conflict. We will use Genocide Prevention Month next April to educate
and motivate a civic response calling for an end to genocide and mass
atrocity crimes."

GPP’s website, includes information
on past genocides from Armenia to Rwanda, information on the genocide
in Darfur as well as the special feature – "30 Days of Action in
April," which provides ways for the international community to join
the movement and show their support for genocide prevention. The
organization also released a letter from genocide survivors marking the
60th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment
of the Crime of Genocide, which called for the international community
to prevent genocide, mass atrocities and protect civilians under
attack. Amongst the signatories were Armenian Genocide survivors
Adriyan Bagciyan, Arsalos Dadir, Onorik Eminian, Hingeni Evernsel,
Perouz Kalousdian, Charlotte Kechejian and Alice Shnorhokian.