Washington, DC – Congressman Howard Berman, Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement in support of President Obama’s initiative to prevent mass atrocities and impose consequences on serious human rights violations.

“I welcome the steps being taken today by the Obama Administration towards strengthening the ability of the United States to prevent and respond to mass atrocities. The creation of an Atrocities Prevention Board and the Administration’s Proclamation to bar explicitly serious human rights violators from entry into the United States sends an important message that America will not tolerate such disregard for basic human rights. I congratulate and join the Administration on this important step towards protecting America’s national security interests, upholding our moral values, and acting as an example to the global community.”

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