Genocide
According to the International Association of Genocide Scholars, "In the 20th century, genocides and state mass murder have killed more people than have all wars." The month of April is a particularly relevant time to reflect on the history of genocide, as well as current efforts to stop and prevent genocide. In April, Armenians, Rwandans and Cambodians all commemorate the horrible loss of life of their people to genocide. "Yom Ha Shoah" (Holocaust Memorial Day), often recognized in April, will be observed in early-May this year. More recently, politicians, reporters and activists have labeled the atrocities in Darfur, Sudan genocide. Despite the international convention for the prevention and punishment of genocide and the tireless work of activists, mass violence continues and too often the perpetrators go unpunished. Facing History and Ourselves publishes resources to help students understand the particulars of each of these tragic histories, and Facing Today links to resources that explore how the concept of genocide is being applied today.
As students study these specific events, it is also important to help them think about how universal aspects of human behavior, such as prejudice, stereotyping, and conformity, contribute to the proliferation of violence and about how the decisions made by groups and individuals have the power to stop, prevent, or intensify acts of genocide.
Related Articles and Websites:
UN
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights)
On Our Watch (PBS, Frontline)
"The 8 Stages of Genocide," (Genocide Watch)
"Genocide Prevention: 60 Years of Abject Failure," by Eric Reeves (The Christian Science Monitor, January 20, 2008)
"Make Sudan an Offer It Can't Refuse," by Marc Helprin (The New York Times, March 25, 2008)
"Lessons from Rwanda," (The United Nations and the Prevention of Genocide)
"The Responsibility to Protect," by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (Opening of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, February 14, 2008)
- What is genocide? Who decides when this label should be applied?
- How is it humanly possible for people to perpetrate mass murder? How is it humanly possible for people not to stop genocide when it occurs?
- Who is responsible for stopping genocide when it occurs?
- What tools are available for individuals, groups, and nations if they hope to stop genocide?
- How can we prevent future genocides? Who needs to be involved?
