Genocide is a human phenomenon that can be analysed and understood, and consequently, may be prevented. According to academic and activist Gregory H. Stanton, genocide is a process that develops in ten stages, described here. The stages do not necessarily follow a linear progression and may coexist. Prevention measures may be implemented at any stage.
1. Classification
Groups in a position of power will categorize people according to ethnicity, race, religion or nationality employing an us versus them mentality.
Prevention: Create universalistic institutions that foster social cohesion.
2. Symbolisation
People are identified as Jews, Roma or Tutsis, etc., and made to stand out from others with certain colours or symbolic articles of clothing.
Prevention: Ban the symbols and hate speech and all clothing meant to discriminate against groups.
3. Discrimination
A dominant group uses laws, customs, and political power to deny the rights of other groups. The powerless group may not be granted full civil rights or even citizenship.
Prevention: Ensure full political empowerment and citizenship rights for all groups in a society. Discrimination on the basis of nationality, ethnicity, race or religion should be outlawed.
4. Dehumanisation
The diminished value of the discriminated group is communicated through propaganda. Parallels are drawn with animals, insects or diseases.
Prevention: Promptly denounce and punish perpetrators and make hate crimes and speech culturally unacceptable. Sanction all incitements to commit genocide.
5. Organisation
A state, its army or militia design genocidal killing plans.
Prevention: Outlaw membership in these militias and sanction their leaders. Impose arms embargoes on the countries involved and create commissions of inquiry.
6. Polarisation
Propaganda is employed to amplify the differences between groups. Interactions between groups are prohibited, and the moderate members of the group in power are killed.
Prevention: Protect these moderate members and human rights groups. Seize the assets of the oppressors and refuse their access to international travel.
7. Preparation
The victims are identified, separated and forced to wear symbols. Deportations, isolation and forcible starvation. Death lists are drawn up.
Prevention: Humanitarian aid, armed international interventions or major support for the victims to ensure their ability to defend themselves.
8. Persecution
Victims are identified and isolated based on their ethnic or religious identity. Death lists are drawn up. In state sponsored genocides, members of victim groups may be forced to wear identifying symbols. Their property is often expropriated.
Prevention: Regional organisations and the international community must mobilise themselves to assist or help the victims.
9. Extermination
The massacres begin. The perpetrators see their actions as “extermination” since they do not consider their victims to be entirely human.
Prevention: Only large-scale armed interventions can stop genocide. The international community must support the operations by providing air transport, equipment and financial support.
10. Denial
The perpetrators of the genocide deny having committed their crimes. Victims are often blamed. Evidence is hidden and witnesses are intimidated.
Prevention: An international tribunal or national court must prosecute the criminals. Public education.
1. Classification
Groups in a position of power will categorize people according to ethnicity, race, religion or nationality employing an us versus them mentality.
Prevention: Create universalistic institutions that foster social cohesion.
2. Symbolisation
People are identified as Jews, Roma or Tutsis, etc., and made to stand out from others with certain colours or symbolic articles of clothing.
Prevention: Ban the symbols and hate speech and all clothing meant to discriminate against groups.
3. Discrimination
A dominant group uses laws, customs, and political power to deny the rights of other groups. The powerless group may not be granted full civil rights or even citizenship.
Prevention: Ensure full political empowerment and citizenship rights for all groups in a society. Discrimination on the basis of nationality, ethnicity, race or religion should be outlawed.
4. Dehumanisation
The diminished value of the discriminated group is communicated through propaganda. Parallels are drawn with animals, insects or diseases.
Prevention: Promptly denounce and punish perpetrators and make hate crimes and speech culturally unacceptable. Sanction all incitements to commit genocide.
5. Organisation
A state, its army or militia design genocidal killing plans.
Prevention: Outlaw membership in these militias and sanction their leaders. Impose arms embargoes on the countries involved and create commissions of inquiry.
6. Polarisation
Propaganda is employed to amplify the differences between groups. Interactions between groups are prohibited, and the moderate members of the group in power are killed.
Prevention: Protect these moderate members and human rights groups. Seize the assets of the oppressors and refuse their access to international travel.
7. Preparation
The victims are identified, separated and forced to wear symbols. Deportations, isolation and forcible starvation. Death lists are drawn up.
Prevention: Humanitarian aid, armed international interventions or major support for the victims to ensure their ability to defend themselves.
8. Persecution
Victims are identified and isolated based on their ethnic or religious identity. Death lists are drawn up. In state sponsored genocides, members of victim groups may be forced to wear identifying symbols. Their property is often expropriated.
Prevention: Regional organisations and the international community must mobilise themselves to assist or help the victims.
9. Extermination
The massacres begin. The perpetrators see their actions as “extermination” since they do not consider their victims to be entirely human.
Prevention: Only large-scale armed interventions can stop genocide. The international community must support the operations by providing air transport, equipment and financial support.
10. Denial
The perpetrators of the genocide deny having committed their crimes. Victims are often blamed. Evidence is hidden and witnesses are intimidated.
Prevention: An international tribunal or national court must prosecute the criminals. Public education.
Jun 2, 2023 - .best. day. ever.
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