R2P and “Never Again”: 15 Years after the Rwandan Genocide

April marks the 15 year anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, reminding us all of the horrific atrocities that can be carried out when human rights abuses go unchecked. What have we accomplished since then? What must still be done? How can we help protect the world’s citizens and prevent genocide from happening again?

On April 28, Liquidnet Holdings, in conjunction with the Genocide Prevention Project and the International Crisis Group, convened a panel to debate these very issues and explore the growing Responsibility to Protect (R2P) movement.

Panelists included Fabienne Hara, Vice President of the International Crisis Group; Jacqueline Murekatete of Miracle Corners of the World; Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO of the Acumen Fund; Jill Savitt, Executive Director of the Genocide Prevention Project; and Seth Merrin, Founder and CEO of Liquidnet Holdings. The panel was moderated by Scott Malcomson, an editor for the New York Times Magazine and former advisor to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The panel kicked off with Murekatete sharing her story as a survivor of the Rwandan genocide who, as a child, lost her parents, siblings and extended family to the atrocities. She also discussed the pervasive culture of impunity that fostered the genocide and the international community’s inaction to the events that unfolded.

The panelists all agreed that while “never again” is a promise that remains to be fulfilled, there has been over the past few years a groundswell of public engagement on the issue of genocide, particularly in regards to Darfur.

This raised consciousness is vital to preserving the memory of past atrocities, so survivors’ experiences are not forgotten and can serve as a warning against future atrocities. However, Novogratz cautioned that it is not enough to tell the genocide’s story; if we don’t have systems in place for people to hold each other accountable, “never again” will not prevail.

And while the international community’s first response to mass atrocities is to impose economic sanctions on perpetrators, Merrin likened sanctions to “a chemotherapy that kills everything but the cancer” and urged prevention, rather than waiting until genocidal processes have been put into action.

As the panel dispersed, the audience was left with a powerful message: all members of the community – corporations, the media, activists, government officials and the general public – must step back and evaluate how we can help prevent genocide from happening again.

Happy DNC 2008

I heart Bill.

Obama/Biden 2009

As I write this, I am lamenting the fact that I should be in New Orleans right now, chowing down on a po' boy sandwich and ambling along Bourbon Street. But nooooo, Gustav had to ruin my trip!

However, because I wasn't packing and preparing for my trip last night, I got the chance to catch Joe Biden speak at the DNC. When I heard that Obama chose Biden as his running mate, I was uneasy; I didn't know much about him other than he's another crusty old white politician. So I was a little stoked to hear what he had to say. And although he likely didn't write his own (highly choreographed) acceptance speech, I was pretty pleased with what came out of his mouth.

It should be no surprise that my favorite part was his declaration to do all he could to achieve equal pay for women. (I'll admit it, I clapped). I also enjoyed his quips. My personal favorite was when he accidentally called John McCain "Bush" and quickly followed with, "sorry, Freudian slip!"

And then, Barack came on stage for a hot minute (and I say hot becuase I have a serious crush on him!), and reminded me yet again why I'm an Obama Mama.

These are extraordinary times. This is an extraordinary election. The American people are ready. I’m ready. Barack Obama is ready. This is his time. This is our time. This is America’s time.

Facts & Figures

File these away for the next time you find yourself in a conversation about the erosion of our reproductive rights at the hands of a vocal minority...

87% of counties in the US have no abortion provider

47 states and DC allow certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide women with specific reproductive health services, info or referrals

Since 1995, states have enacted more than 550 anti-choice measures, including 43 anti-choice measures in 2007 alone

Bush continues to propose flat funding for family planning services while spending more and more (of our taxpayer dollars!) on abstinence-only programs, which by the way, DONT WORK!

Bush signed the Federal Refusal Clause into law, which gives HMOs the power to deny women access to reproductive health care services and information

Favorite Overheard Quote of the Day

Guy giving out Kellogg's Special K chocolate bars: Free cereal bars! Free cereal bars!

Hobo (to Kellogg's guy): Hey, why isn't anyone giving me any money? They all be paying attention to you!

Kellogg's guy: Because I'm giving out free candy. You're giving out lies.

--Outside Penn Station

It never ends!

In a memo released a couple of weeks ago (I know, I'm late), the Bush administration proposed cutting federal funds to all states and hospitals that refuse to hire doctors and nurses who object to abortion. Wait, it gets better. The memo also redefines “abortion” as including the birth control pill, IUDs, and emergency contraception.

This is disgraceful, yet not surprising given the administration's anti-woman agenda. Check out the New York Times article on the memo, and then flood the White House (comments@whitehouse.gov) with your protests!

Below is Senator Clinton's response. She basically said everything I'm thinking :)

A small rant

New York City is the least handicapped friendly city in the world, I've decided. I'm currently on crutches with a sprained ankle and torn ligament, and couldn't possibly be more frustrated. Not only is my ankle in pain, but my hands and underarms are bruised and on fire. And someone had the nerve to tell me to hurry up on the train today. Seriously!? Why don't you go fuck yourself. This is my first time on crutches so it's a slow, exhausting learning process - one that is making me go broke by taking cabs as often as possible. This goddamn economy and energy crisis is making cabbies charge an extra fee for gas, which sucks to say the least. So really, all of this is Bush's fault, much like everything else.

Ok, I feel better.