Genocide

Definition

Genocide is the intentional action to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. It can involve killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group.

Related terms

Ethnic cleansing: The forced removal of a specific ethnic group from a given territory, which may include acts of violence and persecution akin to genocide.

Crimes against humanity: Widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack, including murder, enslavement, torture, and rape.

The Geneva Conventions: A series of international treaties adopted between 1864 and 1949 for the humanitarian treatment of war victims, which include provisions against genocide.