Dear PsySR listserve subscribers and Psychology and Human Rights Listserve members, Here below is the PsySR Resolution passed by the PsySR Steering Committee and sent to President Clinton today. All the best for the new year! Anne Anderson Anne Anderson National Coordinator Psychologists for Social Responsibility 2604 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 745-7084 (202) 745-0051 fax _____________________ December 22, 2000 RESOLUTION We, Psychologists for Social Responsibility, urge the USA administration to sign the agreement creating an International Criminal Court. This court is essential for the prevention of future genocide, mass killings and other severe human rights violations. We realize the usual argument for an International Criminal Court is that leaders would become aware that they will be held accountable for their actions, and that their actions will have consequences, thereby serving as a deterrent. As psychologists, we would add that the proceedings of an international court would bring human rights violations to the attention of the world community, enhancing awareness and concern and making it less likely that the international community will remain passive in the face of new violations. Second, the court's proceedings would contribute to the preservation of an accurate historical record of actions that have taken place. Such public recognition of events, however tragic, is helpful in the healing of the victims and their families and makes it less likely they will respond to their loss by becoming perpetrators of violence themselves. The preservation of a fairly judged record also makes it more difficult for perpetrators to continue to blame their victims, and therefore less likely that they will become perpetrators again.
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