Among recommendations at a seminar on preventing and responding to genocide and mass atrocities participants recommended the establishment of a neutral and nonpartisan “civilian peacekeeping” force or community based peace and protection teams which can act as an early warning and deterrence, and help diffuse intergroup misunderstandings and tensions.  Sponsored by the ONU Office of the Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide and Responsibility to Protect (OSAPG) the event was held on July 25-29, in Juba, South Sudan.  Click here to read the full report.

This recommendation clearly fits within the OSAPG Framework in Determining the Risk of Genocide where they find that the presence of international actors capable of protecting vulnerable groups are a factor in preventing genocide.

These findings affirm that Nonviolent Peaceforce can play a role in preventing genocide especially when peacekeepers are deployed in pre- or early stages of a conflict.