1. The 8 Stages of Genocide

2. Stage 1. Classification
Cultures have categories that distinguish “us and them” by
Ethnicity
Race
Religion
Ex. German or Jew, Hutu or Tutsi

3. Classification cont.
Bipolar societies lacking mixed categories are most likely to have genocide
Ex. Rwanda

4. Classification Prevention
Develop universalistic institutions transcending ethnic or racial divisions
Actively promote
Tolerance
Understanding
Promote classifications that transcend divisions

5. Stage 2. Symbolism Giving names or symbols to classifications
Ex. Jews, Gypsies
Names and symbols distinguish by colors or clothing
Does not directly result in genocide unless taken to next level
When combined with hatred
Symbols forced upon unwilling members
of pariah groups
Ex. Yellow star for Jews under Nazi rule

6. Symbolism Prevention Hate symbols and speech can be legally forbidden
Ex. Swastikas
Group markings can be outlawed
Ex. Gang clothing, Tribal scarring ↘
Legal limitations will fail if unsupported by popular culture enforcement

7. Stage 3. Dehumanization
One group denying the humanity of another group
Ex. “Cockroaches”
Overcomes normal human revulsion against murder
Hate propaganda in media used to vilify the victim group

8. Dehumanization Prevention
Incitement to genocide should not be confused with protected speech
Genocidal societies lack constitutional protection for countervailing speech
Should be treated differently than democracies
Local and international leaders condemn use of hate speech and make it culturally unacceptable

9. Dehumanization Prevention cont.
Leaders who incite genocide should be banned from international travel and have foreign finances frozen
Hate radio and propaganda should be banned
Hate crimes and atrocities should be punished

10. Stage 4. Organization
Genocide always organized by the state using militias
Provides deniability of state responsibility
Ex. Janjaweed in Darfur
Organization
Informally
Ex. Hindu mobs led by local RSS militants
Decentralized
Terrorist groups

11. Organization cont. Special army units or militants trained and armed
Genocidal killing plans made

12. Organization Prevention
Membership in militias should be outlawed
Leaders should be denied international visas
U.N. should impose arms embargoes on governments and countries involved in genocide
Create commissions to investigate violations
Ex. Post-genocidal sanctions in Rwanda

13. Stage 5. Polarization Extremists drive groups apart
Hate groups broadcasting polarizing propaganda
Laws created
Ex. Forbidding intermarriage, forbidding social interaction
Extremists target moderates
Intimidate and silence centers
Moderates from groups are most able to stop genocide
First to be arrested and killed

14. Polarization Prevention
Security protection for moderate leaders
Assistance to human rights groups
Seizure of assets of extremists
International visas for extremists denied
Coup d'état (overthrow) by extremists opposed
By international sanctions

15. Stage 6. Preparation
Identification and separation of victims because of:
Ethnic identity
Religious identity
Death list created
Victims forced to wear identification symbol
Ex. Serial number for Jews

16. Preparation cont. Victims segregated into ghettos
Deported to concentration camps
Confined to famine-struck region
starved

17. Prevention of Genocidal Preparation
If regional alliances or U.N. security can be mobilized:
Genocide Emergency must be declared
Armed international intervention should be prepared
Heavy assistance provided to victim group
Humanitarian assistance organized by U.N.
Private relief groups for refugees

18. Stage 7. Extermination
Quickly becomes a killing legally called “Genocide”
Called extermination to killers
Do not believe their victims are fully human
Sponsored by the state
Armed forces work with militias to do the killing

19. Extermination cont.
Genocide can result in revenge killings by groups against each other
Downward whirl-pool cycle of bilateral genocide
Ex. Burundi
Only rapid armed intervention can stop genocide at this point

20. Extermination Prevention
Real safe areas and refugee camps should be established
Heavily armed international protection
Small genocides
U.N. Security Council should authorize
The U.N. Standing High Readiness Brigade
EU Rapid Response Force
Regional forces

21. Extermination Prevention cont.
Larger interventions
Multilateral force authorized by the U.N. should intervene
Regional alliances should act if U.N. cannot
If strong nations will not provide troops, they should send
Airlift
Equipment
Financial help

22. Stage 8. Denial Surest indicator of genocidal massacre
Perpetrators of genocide
Dig up mass graves
Burn bodies
Try to cover up evidence
Try to intimidate witnesses

23. Denial cont. Genocidal perpetrators deny committing crime
Blaming what happened on the victims
Block investigation of crimes
Continue to govern until forced to give up power
Flee into exile
Remain there with impunity until captured and tribunal is established
Ex. Pol Pot, Idi Amin

24. Response to Denial
Punishment by an international tribunal or national court
Evidence is heard
Perpetrator is punished