In this role, Genser is tasked with developing a mechanism for the OAS to prevent and respond to mass atrocity crimes in the region, ensuring the organization does not remain a passive bystander. His work involves analyzing, studying, and debating with all interested parties to formulate suggested courses of action. This volunteer position is independent of his work at Perseus Strategies, though the firm provides pro bono support for his duties at the OAS. The aim is to create a regional complement to the Responsibility to Protect, as adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2005, to better address the needs of victims and prevent ongoing atrocities in the Americas.
Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect to the Organization of American States
Note from the Special Adviser
Dear Friends,
In October 2020, I was appointed by Secretary General Luis Almagro as Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) to the Organization of American States. As noted in the press release announcing my appointment:
The work of the Special Adviser will begin with analyzing, studying and debating how to develop a mechanism for the OAS to prevent and respond to mass atrocity crimes in the region with all interested parties and as a consequence formulating suggested possible courses of action by the Organization.
The OAS cannot remain silent and become another international bystander to past and ongoing mass atrocities. If existing international mechanisms are not responding to the demands and needs of the victims of mass atrocities in the Americas, at the very least the OAS should try to design and build a regional mechanism that can prevent and respond more efficiently, and in a timely manner, to crimes of this nature in the Western Hemisphere. The costs of not having an R2P regional mechanism at the OAS so far have been the continued loss of human lives and the persistence of impunity for mass atrocities crimes.
It is expected that the designation of Mr. Genser will develop a new innovative regional complement to the Responsibility to Protect, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly at the 2005 World Summit.
This is a volunteer position and I will continue to run my public interest law firm Perseus Strategies. That said, there is no connection between Perseus Strategies and the OAS, except that it is providing pro bono support to me as I serve in this important position.
Sincerely,
Jared Genser
Nota por el Asesor Especial
Queridos amigos,
En el octubre de 2020, fui designado por el Secretario General de la OEA Luis Almagro como Asesor Especial sobre la Responsabilidad de Proteger (R2P). Como se mencionó en el comunicado de prensa anunciando mi designación:
El trabajo del Asesor Especial comenzará con analizar, estudiar y debatir cómo desarrollar, junto a todas las partes interesadas, un mecanismo para que la OEA prevenga y responda a los crímenes atroces masivos en la región, y en consecuencia formular sugerencias de posibles líneas de acción por parte de la Organización.
La OEA no puede permanecer en silencio y convertirse en otro espectador internacional de las atrocidades masivas pasadas y en curso. Si los mecanismos internacionales existentes no están respondiendo a las demandas y necesidades de las víctimas de atrocidades masivas en las Américas, al menos la OEA debería tratar de diseñar y construir un mecanismo regional que pueda prevenir y responder de manera más eficiente y oportuna a delitos de esta naturaleza en el Hemisferio Occidental. Los costos de no tener –hasta ahora- un mecanismo regional de R2P en la OEA han sido la pérdida continua de vidas humanas y la persistencia de la impunidad por crímenes de atrocidades masivas.
Se espera que la designación de Genser contribuya a desarrollar un nuevo complemento regional innovador a la Responsabilidad de Proteger, que fue adoptada por la Asamblea General de la ONU en la Cumbre Mundial de 2005.
Este es un puesto de voluntariado y continuaré dirigir mi firma de ley de interés público Perseus Strategies. Dicho esto, no hay una conexión entre Perseus Strategies y la OEA, excepto que me está proveyendo apoyo pro bono mientras sirvo en este puesto importante.
Sinceramente,
Jared Genser
Most Recent News and Publications
Press Conference Launching Report on R2P and the OAS
September 15, 2022
The Responsibility to Protect and the Organization of American States: A Path Forward for Atrocity Prevention And Response in the Americas
September 15, 2022
Fostering Impunity: The Impact of the Failure of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to Open an Investigation Into the Possible Commission of Crimes Against Humanity in Venezuela
December 2, 2020
Remarks of Jared Genser at Press Conference with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein
December 2, 2020
Media Release Announcing OAS General Secretariat Report Reaffirms Crimes against Humanity in Venezuela
December 2, 2020
Fact Sheet: OAS General Secretariat Launches New Report Detailing Human Rights Violations in Venezuela and Impact of Inaction by ICC Prosecutor
December 2, 2020