Genocide A Retrospective EQ: What is genocide? Where and how have genocides occurred in World History?

Warm Up: The Spectrum of Violence There are two kinds of people in this world… PURPLE PEOPLE and PINK PEOPLE Least Harmful Most Harmful < ------------------------------------------------------->

Defining Genocide Genocide is the systematic harassment and extermination of a specific group of people on the basis of their ethnicity, religion or other defining cultural or physical characteristics What are some examples of Genocides in past world history? The Holocaust, Armenia, Cambodia, Bosnia, Kurdistan and Rwanda Where is genocide occurring RIGHT NOW? Sudan (Darfur) and Chechnya, “possibly” the Democratic Republic of the Congo

“Genocide Convention” Acts that are a part of Genocide “Any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group such as” Killing members of the group Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or part Imposing measure intended to prevent births within a group Forcibly transferring children of one group to another group

Reacting to/Preventing Genocide Outside nations are obligated by the “Genocide Convention” to intervene once it has been determined a genocide is occurring… reaction methods can include: Sending troops to intervene/fight (ie. invade that country) Send material, military or financial support to a country’s government (as long as it is NOT participating in the genocide) to combat the genocide Levy sanctions or boycott a country if they are participating Provide aid and shelter to refugees fleeing genocide To help prevent genocide in the future: Better education to students about equality and fairness Educate people about genocide and why it is not the answer (Can’t we all just get along?) using past examples

Comparing Genocides With a partner… Look at the background information on both the Darfur and Rwandan genocides that has been provided…complete the attached Compare/Contrast activity as instructed looking for common and different themes between each genocide This Week: Film – Hotel Rwanda Reaction Essay Due Friday, May 27th

Resources www.darfurisdying.com http://action.savedarfur.org/campaign/savedarfur_google http://www.darfurgenocide.org/

The Darfur Genocide: Background Darfur is the western state of Sudan, the largest country in Africa The conflict began in 2003 as a result of rebel violence against the Sudanese government by residents…they desired independence. Local government backed militias known as the Janjaweed quickly moved against civilians in the region

The Darfur Genocide: Background The violence is ethnically based (not religious as some claim, everyone is predominately Muslim) with the Arab Junjaweed militias focusing their ire on black Africans in the region. To date, over 500,000 people have been killed Over half the villages in Darfur have been burned to the ground Over 2.5 million are living in refugee camps in neighboring Chad Even these camps are not safe, as Janjaweed militias have attacked them (even raping women who leave them to gather firewood) The US government declared the situation a genocide in Sept. 2004 The Janjaweed have engaged in several tactics outlined in the Genocide Convention They have killed members of the Black population They have caused serious bodily or mental harm to members of said group They have created living conditions with the intent to bring about its physical destruction in whole or part

The Darfur Genocide: Background Sadly, only the US has recognized the situation in Darfur as a genocide…no other country nor the United Nations has acknowledged such a severity of events. The Sudanese government denies that a genocide has occurred as well as denies that they support the local Janjaweed militias in their activities in Darfur There are many international aid organizations bringing help to the displaced people of Darfur, providing mainly food and water, items that are in scarce supply in this semi-desert region Omar Al-Bashir…in power since 1989

The Darfur Genocide: Background Events in Darfur have spilled over and caused wars in neighboring nations (Chad, Central African Republic) In 2006, the Sudanese government decided to allow African Union troops to “observe” They have no power to intervene in any hostilities, prevent violence or help civilians The UN did try to send peacekeeping troops in 2006 but Sudan refused their implementation Recently, sanctions against Sudan have been proposed, as evidence has surfaced that Russia and China have been sending weapons and supporting the Sudanese government In July 2008, the International Criminal Court filed 10 war crimes charges against Omar al-Bashir, 3 counts of genocide and 5 counts of “crimes against humanity”