Human rights should be at top of agenda for new president

With the change in presidential power, there must be a change in foreign policy. Instead of investing money and lives in foreign wars, we need to redirect focus to humanitarian efforts.

Trying to save the Iraqi and Afghan people from tyrannical rule is admirable. However, it seems that our political leaders have turned a blind eye to humanitarian disasters such as the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

Many people shy away from the word genocide. However, with approximately 800,000 deaths to date, the word genocide seems applicable. According to the United Human Rights Council 800,000 Rwandan citizens were killed due to fighting within the country.

In 1994 struggles began in the Central African country of Rwanda between the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi people. The Hutu brutally killed Tutsi citizens at random.

Despite efforts by the Tutsi to share the country, the Hutu continued their massacre, even invading a hospital. 2,500 United Nations troops entered the country in attempt to quell the violence and keep the peace. Despite UN efforts, the chaos proved to be too much requiring an evacuation.

The evacuation left Rwandan citizens independent amid ongoing violence.

The idea of an evacuation in Iraq seems unspeakable to Americans. However, when it comes to multinational humanitarian efforts, evacuation is apparent permissible.

If we can fight a predominately unilateral and preemptive war, then we must be able to do the same with acts of genocide. Humanitarian efforts should be perceived as important, just as threats to national security. Why?

While the Rwandan genocide is long past, there are other countries that need the help of powerful countries like the United States, like Uganda and Sudan.

Like with national security measures in North Korea and Iran, the United States must monitor countries vigilantly for human rights violations. The world cannot afford another Rwanda.

By Brandon Petty Opinion Editor