Introduction to Genocide And What We can do to Prevent it Skulls from the Rwandan Genocide

What is Genocide? Webster: the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group United Nation Human Rights: genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: 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 in part Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Past Genocides Genocides have occurred for thousands of years in all parts of the globe. They have been carried out against, and perpetrated by, many cultures and races and there are no limits as to what cultures are not capable of genocide.

Rwandan Against: Tutsis Perpetrator: Hutus Caused by Hutus, who saw the Rwandan Patriotic Front, made of Tutsi refugees, as a threat to their power. Government run propaganda told Hutus it was their duty to eradicate Tutsis or else they would be killed. Killed 500,000+ in 100 days Killed between 800,000 and 1,000,000 Tutsis overall.

Armenian/Greek/Assyrian Against: Minorities in Turkish Empire Perpetrator: Young Turks Staged a revolution in Ottoman Empire and gained control Wanted to modernize the empire Saw non-Turkish races as a threat to the purity of the country. Tactics very similar to those used in the Holocaust. Overall death toll is uncertain though ranging in the several millions. At least 1.5 million Armenians.

Kurdish Against: Iraqi Kurds Perpetrator: Saddam Hussein and Iraqi government Attacked because of being Sunni, religious minority in Iraq Iraqis employed biochemical warfare on the Kurds, used their villages as test sites for new weapons. 100, ,000 dead

Organizations that Deal with Genocide Save Darfur Coalition - A U.S. based coalition of almost 200 groups all working to stop the genocide in Darfur. It was started by the United States Holocaust Memorial and American Jewish World Service. It has expanded to be involved with several countries and backed by many political parties across the spectrum. Genocide Intervention Network - Its mission is to empower individuals and communities with the tools to prevent and stop genocide. It was founded in 2004 and has encompassed support from several nations. The Red Cross - The Red Cross has donated literally tons of food and supplies to darfur since the beginning of the conflict and is constantly looking for donations to increase the range of its cause.

Genocide Today The Darfur Conflict Taking place in Sudan today with several factions. Over 2,000,000 displaced 300,000 dead