Office of War Crimes Issues

The Office of War Crimes Issues, headed by the Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, Pierre-Richard Prosper, advises the Secretary of State directly and formulates U.S. policy responses to atrocities committed in areas of conflict and elsewhere throughout the world. As the President's envoy, Ambassador Prosper travels worldwide engaging heads of state and international organizations to build bilateral and international support for U.S. policies. As part of this, Ambassador Prosper visits affected countries and uses a range of diplomatic, legal, economic, military, and intelligence tools to help secure peace and stability and build the rule of law. Since September 11, 2001, the office has played a key diplomatic role with foreign governments whose nationals have been captured in the war on terror. The office also has primary responsibility for policy on Iraqi war crimes.