Preventing Genocide: The International Response

Abstract

The genocide in Rwanda in 1994 sparked an interest in early warning signals and early preventive action. In this article from 2012 Peter Wallensteen and his colleagues demonstrate with statistical methods the importance of international attention to what is happening and to the utility of peacekeeping operations in reducing the dangers. It also points to the importance of targeted sanctions and preventive diplomacy. In the case study of the situation in Cote d’Ivoire in the early 2000s the authors suggest that the coherent international response contributed to preventing what could have become another genocide.