Survivors join MPs for launch of Genocide Prevention Group
Aegis Trust
An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Genocide Prevention will be launched on Tuesday 19 July, by the Rt. Hon. Clare Short MP (Lab), John Bercow MP (Con) and Lord Anthony Lester QC (Lib Dem).
The launch, to take place 6.00pm at Portcullis House, Westminster, will be attended by survivors of genocide in the 20th and 21st centuries.
The Genocide Prevention APPG purpose is to:
– Seek to ensure that the UK does all it can to prevent genocide and crimes against humanity.
– Strengthen parliamentary scrutiny of government regarding its action on such crimes.
– Increase the flow of independent information and analysis to UK Parliamentarians about these issues.
The group’s administration will be undertaken by the UK-based genocide prevention agency the Aegis Trust. Aegis is responsible for the UK Holocaust Centre, the Kigali Memorial Centre in Rwanda and the Protect Darfur campaign that was launched in the Palace of Westminster in March 2005. A ‘Parliamentary Statement’ circulated by the Rt. Hon. Clare Short MP supporting the aims of the campaign was backed by over 100 MPs and Peers.
Over 120 MPs are expected to join the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Genocide Prevention as inaugural members.
Commenting on the launch, Clare Short, who is likely to be elected chair of the new group, stated: “Everyone is of course against genocide, but when it came to Rwanda the UK failed in its duties in the Security Council and the response in Darfur has been inadequate. I hope the group will help ensure more effective UK action.”
Dr James Smith, Chief Executive of the Aegis Trust, added: “Time and again the international community fails to meet its responsibility to protect those at risk of genocide – but now our parliamentarians are really taking this issue seriously. The creation of a parliamentary group for genocide prevention is an enormously positive development. Through their impact on UK policy in this area, this group of MPs could ultimately contribute to saving thousands, possibly even millions of lives.”
– For more information, contact: Hratche Koundarjian, Parliamentary Advisor to the Aegis Trust, 07905 911039, email: [email protected], or David Brown, Communications Officer for the Aegis Trust, 07812 640873, email: [email protected]