The Chautauqua Declaration

Last week an unprecedented gathering of international war crimes prosecutors met with little fanfare (and even less media coverage) in Chautauqua, New York. These nine men sounded an international clarion call to end impunity by perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in drafting, signing and releasing the First Chautauqua Declaration. While remembering the legacy and principles of Nuremberg, these men demanded that world leaders act in accordance with international law and challenged future generations to create a sustainable peace marked by truth and justice.

As a concerned global citizen, please talk to your friends, colleagues and family members about this noteworthy reunion and the “big ideas” they embody by using the messaging points below:

• Sending a Message: War crimes prosecutors have sent a message to the world that we can no longer stand by as war criminals hide behind a veil of impunity.
  
  
• Uphold the Legacy of Nuremberg: The Nuremberg Trials held perpetrators of genocide accountable for crimes committed during the Holocaust. History has taught us that no one country alone can address or prevent atrocities such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
  
  
• A Global Effort: The U.S. must take part in the global effort to end impunity and protect innocent victims. To that end, it must support the International Criminal Court - the only permanent international court capable of trying individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity when there is no other recourse for justice.