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Genocide

The act of Genocide is an intentional and ongoing policy of attempting to destroy or eradicate an entire group of people based on their race, political beliefs, culture, religion or another similar cause. It is among the most atrocious and brutal crimes in the world.

Components of Genocide

In 1948, the United Nations held a convention known as the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG) to discuss and define the worldwide problem of Genocide. Their official definition included several parts:

  • The systematic killing of members from any ethnic, religious or racial group of people.
  • Physically or mentally harming or damaging the people who make up this group.
  • Purposely creating a set of conditions that are intended to bring about the destruction of or physical harm to a particular group of people.
  • Taking steps to impede or stop the ability of any group to bear children for the purpose of ceasing their lineage.
  • Taking the children of any group through the use of force.

Punishable Offenses of Genocide

Any type of Genocide is deemed worthy of punishment by the CPPCG and the International Criminal Court. The offenses include the act of Genocide as well as planning, aiding, conspiring to commit or inciting others to participate in any genocidal act. These laws were designed for the protections of any national, religious, ethnic or racial group. The exact makeup of those groups are further defined:

National Groups include a set of people who share the same national origin or country of birth. A religious group is made of up people who share the same religious beliefs, doctrines and practices. Ethnic groups are individuals with the same language, heritage or culture. Racial groups are designated as those with similar physical traits, especially in regards to skin color.

8 Stages of Genocide

Gregory Stanton presides over a group called the Genocide Watch, and their mission is to discover and bring national attention to any act of Genocide in the hopes of preventing it and punishing those who take an active part. He defined 8 separate stages of the crime, and gave his suggestion as to the best way to eliminate it during each stage.

1. Classification. This is the first step in which one group depicts another as an opposing or enemy factor. Stanton proposed a system of racial integration in the hopes of eliminating the mindset of separate or divided groups.

2. Symbolization. This includes any logo, slogan or symbol of hatred directed at any particular group. Stanton suggest banning and criminalizing all such symbols.

3. Dehumanization. Anytime a group of people are equated with being anything lesser than people, they are dehumanized. The suggestion to combat this was the international condemnation of hate speech, and not allowing any person who encourages this concept to travel internationally.

4. Organization. The forming of an army or any trained military group for the purpose of Genocide. To alleviate this problem, Stanton recommends an arms embargo on any such faction.

5. Polarization. This involves hate propaganda being broadcast in any form of media. The suggestion against it is the international opposition of any group which practices polarization.

6. Preparation. When a targeted group is separated or segregated with the intent to eliminate that group, they are preparing for Genocide. Stanton declares that an emergency status must be declared at this point.

7. Extermination. This is the actual act of Genocide, and the recommendation to deal with it is armed support to assist the victimized group and stop the perpetrators.

8. Denial. Those who have committed Genocide may deny any wrong doing. Regardless of the denial, Stanton proposes the punishment of the offenders in an International Crime Court setting.

The act of Genocide may never be completely eliminated, but when countries work together to put a stop to this heinous act as soon as it is discovered, there is great hope of abating the crime and helping the victims.