What Is Genocide? Definition and Examples from History
Genocide is one of the gravest crimes against humanity, defined as the deliberate and systematic destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. The term was coined by Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin in 1944, combining the Greek word “genos” (race or tribe) with the Latin word “cide” (killing). It gained international recognition after World War II and was codified in the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention).
The Legal Definition of Genocide
Under the Genocide Convention, genocide is defined as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. These acts include:
- Killing members of the group
- Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group
- Deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the group’s physical destruction
- Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group
- Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group
Examples of Genocides in History
The UN and other international bodies have recognized several events as genocides. Here are some of the most notable examples:
1. The Holocaust (1941–1945)
The Holocaust remains one of the most documented genocides in history. Nazi Germany, under Adolf Hitler, systematically exterminated six million Jews, along with millions of others, including Romani people, disabled individuals, Poles, and Soviet prisoners of war. The Holocaust highlighted the urgent need for international laws to prevent such atrocities.
2. Cambodian Genocide (1975–1979)
Led by the Khmer Rouge regime under Pol Pot, the Cambodian Genocide resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1.7 to 2 million people, nearly a quarter of the country’s population. The regime targeted ethnic minorities, intellectuals, and political dissidents in its attempt to create an agrarian utopia.
3. Rwandan Genocide (1994)
Over the course of just 100 days, approximately 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu were killed in Rwanda. This genocide was fueled by ethnic tensions between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority. The international community’s delayed response to the crisis remains a significant point of criticism.
4. Bosnian Genocide (1992–1995)
During the Bosnian War, Bosnian Serb forces carried out a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) and Croat populations. The massacre of over 8,000 men and boys in Srebrenica in July 1995 is one of the most infamous events of this genocide.
5. Sudanese Genocide (2003–Present)
In Sudan’s Darfur region, government-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have long targeted non-Arab populations, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of millions. The violence escalated with the eruption of a new proxy conflict in April 2023, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. In the southern regions, this conflict has taken on genocidal dimensions, with systematic killings, displacement, and ethnic cleansing of vulnerable populations. The United States has declared that members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan, citing systematic murders and brutal sexual violence against ethnic groups. The conflict has led to widespread atrocities, including mass killings, sexual violence, and the targeting of civilian infrastructure. The RSF, led by Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has been accused of committing genocide against Black Sudanese in Darfur.
6. Genocide Against the Yazidis (2014)
The Islamic State (ISIS) launched a brutal campaign against the Yazidi minority in Iraq, involving mass killings, sexual slavery, and forced conversions. The UN recognized this as genocide, and efforts to bring justice to survivors are ongoing.
Gaza, Palestine (2023-Present)
As of January 17, 2025, the United Nations has not officially declared Israel’s actions against Palestinians as genocide. However, several UN experts and bodies have expressed serious concerns and made significant statements regarding the situation:
- UN Special Rapporteur’s Report (March 2024): Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, presented a report titled “Anatomy of a Genocide” to the UN Human Rights Council. In this report, she stated there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that Israel is intentionally committing at least three genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza, as defined by the Genocide Convention. These acts include killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about the group’s physical destruction. She called for sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel. Reuters
- UN Special Committee’s Findings (November 2024): A UN Special Committee found that Israel’s methods of warfare in Gaza are consistent with the characteristics of genocide, citing mass civilian casualties and other factors. OHCHR
- Statements by UN Experts (October 2024): During a briefing, UN experts emphasized the importance of recognizing the situation in Gaza as genocide. They urged the international community to understand the broader context and consider measures such as suspending Israel’s credentials as a UN Member State under Article 6 of the UN Charter. United Nations Press Releases
Additionally, in December 2024, Amnesty International concluded that Israel has carried out acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza. These acts include killings, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about physical destruction. Amnesty International
Furthermore, in November 2024, South Africa submitted a comprehensive legal document to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. This filing represents a significant step in seeking legal accountability on the international stage. AP News
Despite these serious allegations and findings, the United Nations as a whole has not issued an official declaration labeling Israel’s actions as genocide. Such a declaration would require a formal process and consensus among member states, which has not been achieved to date.
The Role of the United Nations in Preventing Genocide
The UN has played a pivotal role in preventing and addressing genocide through initiatives like:
- The Genocide Convention (1948): Establishing genocide as an international crime.
- The Responsibility to Protect (R2P): A commitment to intervene when states fail to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.
- Tribunals and Courts: Setting up international tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, and supporting the ICC in prosecuting genocide cases.
Why Understanding Genocide Matters
Studying genocide is crucial for fostering global awareness, preventing future atrocities, and ensuring justice for victims. By learning from history, humanity can work toward building societies that uphold dignity, tolerance, and respect for all.
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