Why in the news?

  • U.N Investigators reported Genocide in Gaza; Israel rejected it saying the report is false and distorted.

Genocide

  • What is it?: UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948) defines it as- “The acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group”.
  • Key Characters:
    • Intentionality: Deliberate targeting of a group.
    • Group-based: Focused on identity (ethnic, religious, national).
    • State or Organised Actor Role: Often backed by state or militant groups.
    • Systematic & Large-scale: Distinguishes it from random mass killings.
  • Examples:
    • Armenian Genocide (1915–16)  carried out by Ottoman Empire.
    • Holocaust (1941–45) of Nazi Germany trying to exterminate Jews, Roma, etc.
    • Rwanda (1994) – Mass killing of Tutsis by Hutus.
  • Causes of Genocide:
    • Ethnic/Religious conflict 
    • Authoritarian rule and political propaganda.
    • Resource conflicts & economic inequality.
    • War conditions & breakdown of governance.
    • Dehumanisation of groups (through hate speech, media).
  • Consequences:
    • Humanitarian catastrophe – mass killings, displacement, refugee crises.
    • Breakdown of social fabric – inter-ethnic hatred, mistrust.
    • Economic devastation – loss of workforce, destruction of resources.
    • Regional instability – spillover conflicts, refugee burden.
    • Global impact – challenges to international peace & security.
  • International Legal Framework:
    • UN Genocide Convention (1948) – defines genocide, obligates states to prevent/punish.
    • Rome Statute of International Criminal Court (1998) – lists genocide as one of four core international crimes (with crimes against humanity, war crimes, crime of aggression).
    • Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Doctrine (2005, UN World Summit) – international duty to intervene in case of mass atrocities.
  • India’s Position:
    • India signed the Genocide Convention (1948) but has not enacted a standalone domestic law on genocide.
    • Relevant provisions exist in IPC, CrPC, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, etc. but lack specific genocide classification.
    • India advocates non-interference and sovereignty, yet has supported UN actions (e.g., Rwanda, Bosnia peacekeeping).