THE HIGH COST OF NOT STOPPING GENOCIDE

"SUDAN'S AGONY: WHY NO OUTCRY?"
New York Times, June 29, 2004

Helen Fein:

To the Editor:

Nicholas Kristof cites [June 26] many good reasons why we should stop dithering about genocide in Dafur, call it by its right name, and help "pass a tough UN Security Council resolution authorizing troops, as well as more support for African peacekeepers." Not only are there moral and legal obligations to stop genocide, there is a good economic reason to do so.

Those who argue over the costs to stop genocide are not considering the costs of ignoring it. This was illustrated by our refusal to recognize and deter genocide in Rwanda in 1994. It cost the international community up to 20 times more for aid and trials after the Rwandan genocide than early intervention to halt the genocide would have cost.

The international community can and should also demand restitution for the victims who will need not only aid to survive this year but also a great capital investment to rebuild homes that have been set on fire in the destroyed villages when they go back, as well as military protection.

It is time to make the perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity to pay for the injuries to the victims.

Helen Fein
Executive Director, Institute for the Study of Genocide, New York, NY

 

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The ISG Newsletter is published by the Institute for the Study of Genocide. Helen Fein, Executive Director; Orlanda Brugnola, President.