Members of the Prevention and Protection Working Group – a coalition of non-governmental organizations focused on the protection of civilians and the prevention of violent conflict – write to urge Secretary Mattis to address a specific risk and seize a critical opportunity in carrying out President Trump’s Presidential Memorandum Plan to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
February 17, 2017
Secretary of Defense James Mattis
U.S. Department of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 22202
Dear Secretary Mattis:
As members of the Prevention and Protection Working Group – a coalition of non-governmental organizations focused on the protection of civilians and the prevention of violent conflict – we write to urge you to address a specific risk and seize a critical opportunity in carrying out President Trump’s Presidential Memorandum Plan to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
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Risk: Specific to section 2(iii)(B) of the memorandum, we strongly urge you to maintain the highest standards in terms of the protection of civilians and human rights concerning Rules of Engagement and use of force, and assist partner militaries to do the same.
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The way in which the U.S. Government uses force has direct implications on our ability to reduce violent extremism. Upholding robust ROE and other policy standards specific to civilian casualties advances United States’ goals and interests across the immediate and longer term. Weakening ROE in relation to civilian protection and human rights could lead to increased civilian harm that would further strain public support, especially in the Muslim world, for U.S. engagement.
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The U.S. Government is a global standard bearer; a move backward on rules of engagement will send a dangerous signal to the international community.
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Opportunity: Specific to section 2(F) of the memorandum, we strongly urge you to advocate for parity between military and civilian funding in the upcoming Iraq and Syria-focused supplemental appropriations bill.
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Civilian agencies – particularly the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development – have unique capabilities in working with international and local partners, religious institutions, community organizations, media and others. If these agencies lack the necessary financial resources, the U.S. and partner militaries will be without a strong civilian partner to lead efforts geared toward preventing and mitigating violent extremism.
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Based on our ongoing conversations with key Congressional leaders, funding for State and USAID will continue to be at risk without strong support from external validators, making support from the military critical to ensuring robust funding on the civilian side.
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We appreciate your extensive experience working with civilian agencies, and know that you understand the crucial role that State and USAID play in complex conflict contexts. We have long been advocates for increased civilian capacities and funding to advance smart security. Members of our community led efforts to support what is now Section 385 of the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act to provide authority to transfer funds to civilian agencies to address violent extremism in places like Niger.
We hope to work with you in your role as Secretary of Defense to support a whole-of-government approach, including civilian-led efforts to reduce and prevent violent conflict. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Alliance for Peacebuilding
American Values Network
Better World Campaign
Darfur Women Action Group
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Genocide Prevention Program, School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University
Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies
Peace Direct
Search for Common Ground
STAND: The Student-Led Movement to End Mass Atrocities
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
Cc: Theresa Whelan, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, J5
The Prevention and Protection Working Group is a coalition of human rights, religious, humanitarian, anti-genocide, peace and other organizations dedicated to improving U.S. Government policies and civilian capacities to prevent violent conflict, mass atrocities and protect civilians threatened by such crises.
