The Ten Stages of The Ten Stages of GenocideGenocide

Dr. Gregory StantonDr. Gregory StantonGenocide WatchGenocide Watch

© 2013 Gregory Stanton

What is Genocide?What is Genocide? The crime of genocide is defined in The crime of genocide is defined in

international lawinternational law in thein the Convention on Convention on the Prevention the Prevention and Punishment of and Punishment of Genocide, adopted by the UN in 1948.Genocide, adopted by the UN in 1948.

"Article II: In the present Convention, "Article II: In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: religious group, as such:

(a) Killing members of the group; (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; (e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Article III: The following acts shall be punishable:(a) Genocide;(b) Conspiracy to commit genocide;(c) Direct and public incitement to commit genocide;(d) Attempt to commit genocide;(e) Complicity in genocide.

•Raphael Lemkin, father of the Genocide Convention, would also have protected economic, political, social, and cultural groups.

•The Soviet Union, its satellites, and some Latin American countries eliminated these groups from protection by the Convention.

•Persecuting or killing these other groups remain crimes against humanity.

Genocide succeeds when state Genocide succeeds when state sovereignty blocks the international sovereignty blocks the international responsibility to protect citizens of responsibility to protect citizens of genocidal states.genocidal states.

The UN represents states, not peoples, The UN represents states, not peoples, and it is usually paralyzed by the Perm-and it is usually paralyzed by the Perm-5 veto.5 veto.

Since founding of UN:Since founding of UN:Over 55 genocides and politicidesOver 55 genocides and politicidesOver 70 million deadOver 70 million dead

Prevention requires:Prevention requires:

1.Early warning

2. Rapid response

3. Courts for accountability

Genocide continues due to:

•Lack of authoritative international institutions to predict it

•Lack of ready rapid response forces to stop it

UNAMIR peacekeeper in Rwanda, April 1994

Genocide continues due to:•Lack of political will to peacefully prevent it and to forcefully intervene to stop it

UN Security Council votes to withdrawUNAMIR troops from Rwanda, April 1994

The result has been genocide again and again.The result has been genocide again and again.Memorial to 800,000 Rwandans murdered,Memorial to 800,000 Rwandans murdered,

April – July, 1994 April – July, 1994

The 10 Stages of GenocideThe 10 Stages of Genocide Understanding the genocidal process is one of the most Understanding the genocidal process is one of the most

important steps in preventing future genocides.important steps in preventing future genocides. The Eight Stages of Genocide were first outlined by Dr. The Eight Stages of Genocide were first outlined by Dr.

Greg Stanton, Department of State: 1996. In 2012, Greg Stanton, Department of State: 1996. In 2012, Stanton added two stages to refine the model. Stanton added two stages to refine the model.

The first seven stages are Early Warnings:The first seven stages are Early Warnings: ClassificationClassification SymbolizationSymbolization DiscriminationDiscrimination DehumanizationDehumanization OrganizationOrganization PolarizationPolarization Preparation Preparation

Stage 1: ClassificationStage 1: Classification ““Us versus themUs versus them””

Distinguish by nationality, ethnicity, race, or religion Distinguish by nationality, ethnicity, race, or religion (Genocide Convention) or by class (Marx) or politics. (Genocide Convention) or by class (Marx) or politics.

Bipolar societies (Rwanda) most likely to have Bipolar societies (Rwanda) most likely to have genocide because no way for classifications to fade genocide because no way for classifications to fade away through inter-marriage. away through inter-marriage.

Classification is a primary method of dividing society Classification is a primary method of dividing society

and creating a power struggle between groups.and creating a power struggle between groups.

Stage 1: Classification (Rwanda)Stage 1: Classification (Rwanda)Belgian colonialists believed Tutsis were a naturally

superior nobility, descended from the Israelite tribe of Ham.

Belgians distinguished between Hutus and Tutsis by nose size, height & eye type. Another indicator to distinguish Hutu farmers from Tutsi pastoralists was the number of cattle owned.

Prevention:Prevention:Transcend ClassificationTranscend Classification

Promote common identities Promote common identities (national, religious, human.)(national, religious, human.)

Use common languages (Swahili in Use common languages (Swahili in Tanzania, science, music, sports.)Tanzania, science, music, sports.)

Actively oppose racist and divisive Actively oppose racist and divisive politicians and parties.politicians and parties.

Stage 2: SymbolizationStage 2: Symbolization Names: German v. Jew; Hutu v. Tutsi v. Twa.

Languages: Turkish v. Armenian; Urdu v. BengaliClothing: Arab v. Kurdish, German v. Herero. Group uniforms: Self- adopted: Swastika armbands

Colors and religious symbols:

•Yellow star for Jews

•Blue checked scarf Eastern Zone in Cambodia

Symbolization (Cambodia)Symbolization (Cambodia) People in the Eastern People in the Eastern

Zone, near Vietnam, Zone, near Vietnam, were accused of were accused of having having ““Khmer Khmer bodies, but bodies, but Vietnamese heads.Vietnamese heads.””

They were deported to They were deported to other areas to be other areas to be worked to death.worked to death.

They were marked They were marked with a blue and white with a blue and white checked scarf (Kroma)checked scarf (Kroma)

Stage 2: Symbolization (Rwanda)Stage 2: Symbolization (Rwanda)“Ethnicity” was noted on ID cards by Belgian Authorities in 1933.

Tutsis were given preference to education programs and priesthood. .

1959 independence:,preferences reversed. Hutus favored.

ID cards used to distinguish Tutsis from Hutus in 1994 genocide.

Symbolization (Nazi Germany)Symbolization (Nazi Germany)Nazis required the yellow Star of David emblem to

be worn by nearly all Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe by 1941. Bulgaria and Denmark resisted.

Prevention: SymbolizationPrevention: Symbolization Get ethnic, religious, racial, and national Get ethnic, religious, racial, and national

identities removed from ID cards, identities removed from ID cards, passports.passports.

Protest imposition of marking symbols Protest imposition of marking symbols on targeted groups (yellow cloth on on targeted groups (yellow cloth on Hindus in Taliban Afghanistan).Hindus in Taliban Afghanistan).

Protest negative or racist words for Protest negative or racist words for groups (groups (““niggers, kaffirs,niggers, kaffirs,”” etc.) Work to etc.) Work to make them culturally unacceptable.make them culturally unacceptable.

Stage 3: DiscriminationStage 3: Discrimination Segregation; apartheidSegregation; apartheid: Separate groups in : Separate groups in

housing, schools, transport, and eating housing, schools, transport, and eating places.places.

Prohibit voting Prohibit voting by members of victim group.by members of victim group. Fire group from professionsFire group from professions. [Nazis fired . [Nazis fired

Jew professors & civil servants 1933.]Jew professors & civil servants 1933.] Require Require ““passespasses”” to travel to travel. Hunt and arrest . Hunt and arrest

““undocumented aliens.undocumented aliens.””

Stage 3: DiscriminationStage 3: Discrimination

Boycott businesses of victimsBoycott businesses of victims

Nazis bar entrance to Jewish businessNazis bar entrance to Jewish business

Prevention of DiscriminationPrevention of Discrimination Take discriminatory categories off ID cards.Take discriminatory categories off ID cards. Outlaw discrimination based on race, religion, Outlaw discrimination based on race, religion,

ethnicity, nationality, gender; class; party. [Civil ethnicity, nationality, gender; class; party. [Civil rights act of 1964] rights act of 1964]

Pass laws protecting universal voting rights. Pass laws protecting universal voting rights. [19[19thth Amendment (women); 1924 Indian Amendment (women); 1924 Indian Citizenship Act; 1966 Voting Rights Act]Citizenship Act; 1966 Voting Rights Act]

Make anti-discrimination laws enforceable in Make anti-discrimination laws enforceable in independent courts by private parties.independent courts by private parties.

Stage 4: DehumanizationStage 4: Dehumanization One group denies the humanity of another group, and One group denies the humanity of another group, and

makes the victim group seem subhuman.makes the victim group seem subhuman. Dehumanization overcomes the normal human Dehumanization overcomes the normal human

revulsion against murder.revulsion against murder.

.Kangura Newspaper, Rwanda: “The Solution for Tutsi Cockroaches”

Der Stürmer Nazi Newspaper:“The Blood Flows; The Jew Grins”

Stage 4: DehumanizationStage 4: Dehumanization Blame staged attacks Blame staged attacks

on targeted on targeted ““traitors.traitors.”” The Reichstag fire The Reichstag fire

was blamed on was blamed on Jewish Communists Jewish Communists in 1933.in 1933.

Attack cultural Attack cultural centers of targeted centers of targeted groups. groups.

Kristalnacht 1938: Kristalnacht 1938: synagogues were synagogues were burned.burned.

Tactics of Dehumanization Tactics of Dehumanization HateHate propaganda in propaganda in speechesspeeches, , print print and on and on hate hate

radioradio..

Victim group is described as Victim group is described as animals, vermin, animals, vermin, andand diseasesdiseases. Hate radio, Rwandan genocide, 1994: . Hate radio, Rwandan genocide, 1994: ““Kill the Kill the cockroachescockroaches..”” ““If this If this diseasedisease is not is not treated immediately, it will destroy all the Hutu.treated immediately, it will destroy all the Hutu.””

SuperioritySuperiority of of ““usus””; ; inferiorityinferiority of the of the ““other.other.””

EuphemismsEuphemisms hide horror: hide horror: ““ethnic cleansingethnic cleansing,,”” or or ““purificationpurification..””

Prevention of DehumanizationPrevention of Dehumanization Vigorously protest use of dehumanizing Vigorously protest use of dehumanizing

words that refer to people as words that refer to people as ““filth,filth,”” ““vermivermin,n,”” animals or diseases. Deny people using animals or diseases. Deny people using such words visas and freeze their foreign such words visas and freeze their foreign assets and contributions.assets and contributions.

Prosecute hate crimes and Prosecute hate crimes and incitements to commit genocide.incitements to commit genocide.

Jam or shut down hate radio and Jam or shut down hate radio and television stations where there is television stations where there is danger of genocide.danger of genocide.

Prevention: HumanizationPrevention: HumanizationPromote Promote positive prevention by humanizing positive prevention by humanizing the the

““othersothers””:: Provide programs for tolerance to radio, TV, Provide programs for tolerance to radio, TV,

and newspapers.and newspapers. Enlist religious and political leaders to speak Enlist religious and political leaders to speak

out and educate for tolerance.out and educate for tolerance. Organize inter-ethnic, interfaith, and inter-Organize inter-ethnic, interfaith, and inter-

racial groups to work against hatred.racial groups to work against hatred. Build local anti-genocide alliances. Build local anti-genocide alliances.

Stage 5: OrganizationStage 5: Organization Genocide is a Genocide is a group group crime, so must be crime, so must be organizedorganized.. The state usually organizes, arms and financially supports the The state usually organizes, arms and financially supports the

groups that conduct the genocidal massacres. (State groups that conduct the genocidal massacres. (State organization is not a legal requirement --Indian partition.)organization is not a legal requirement --Indian partition.)

Plans are made by elites for a Plans are made by elites for a ““final solution.final solution.””

Stage 5: Organization (Rwanda)Stage 5: Organization (Rwanda) ““Hutu PowerHutu Power”” elites elites

armed youth militias armed youth militias called called Interahamwe ("Those Who Stand ("Those Who Stand TogetherTogether””).).

Government and Hutu Government and Hutu

Power businessmen Power businessmen provided militias with provided militias with 500,000 machetes and 500,000 machetes and training camps to training camps to ““protect their villagesprotect their villages”” by exterminating every by exterminating every Tutsi.Tutsi.

Prevention: OrganizationPrevention: Organization Treat genocidal groups as the organized Treat genocidal groups as the organized

crime groups they are. Make membership crime groups they are. Make membership in them illegal and demand that their in them illegal and demand that their leaders be arrested.leaders be arrested.

Deny visas to leaders of hate groups and Deny visas to leaders of hate groups and freeze their foreign assets.freeze their foreign assets.

Impose arms embargoes on hate groups Impose arms embargoes on hate groups and governments supporting ethnic or and governments supporting ethnic or religious hatred. Create commissions to religious hatred. Create commissions to enforce such arms embargoes and arrest enforce such arms embargoes and arrest arms merchants.arms merchants.

Stage 6: Polarization Stage 6: Polarization Extremists drive groups apart. Extremists drive groups apart. Hate groups broadcast and print polarizing propaganda. Hate groups broadcast and print polarizing propaganda. Laws are passed that Laws are passed that forbid intermarriage forbid intermarriage or social or social

interaction.interaction. Moderates are silenced, intimidated, and assassinated.Moderates are silenced, intimidated, and assassinated.

•Public demonstrations were organized against Jewish merchants.• Moderate German dissenters were the first to be arrested and sent to concentration camps.

Prevention: De-polarizationPrevention: De-polarization Vigorously protest laws or policies that segregate or Vigorously protest laws or policies that segregate or

marginalize groups, or that deprive whole groups of marginalize groups, or that deprive whole groups of citizenship rights. [Nazi Nuremberg Laws; Apartheid citizenship rights. [Nazi Nuremberg Laws; Apartheid ““bantustansbantustans””; ; ““IvoirizationIvoirization.].]

Physically protect moderate leaders, by use of Physically protect moderate leaders, by use of armed guards and armored vehicles. [Burundi]armed guards and armored vehicles. [Burundi]

Demand the release of moderate leaders if they are Demand the release of moderate leaders if they are arrested. Demand and conduct investigations if they arrested. Demand and conduct investigations if they are murdered. [Amnesty International]are murdered. [Amnesty International]

Oppose coups dOppose coups d’’état by extremists.état by extremists.

Stage 7: Preparation:Stage 7: Preparation:Planning (Conspiracy)Planning (Conspiracy)

Wannsee House, Berlin where Nazi leaders, Heydrich & Wannsee House, Berlin where Nazi leaders, Heydrich & Eichmann planned Eichmann planned ““the Final Solution to the Jewish the Final Solution to the Jewish

Question.Question.”” 20 January 1942 20 January 1942

Stage 7: PreparationStage 7: PreparationIdentification Identification (Nazi Germany)(Nazi Germany)

Force members of victim groups to wear Force members of victim groups to wear identifying symbols.identifying symbols.

Stage 7: PreparationStage 7: Preparation

Nazis required the Nazis required the yellow Star of yellow Star of David emblem to David emblem to be worn by nearly be worn by nearly all Jews in Nazi-all Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe occupied Europe by 1941.by 1941.

Bulgaria and Bulgaria and Denmark resisted.Denmark resisted.

Stage 7: PreparationStage 7: PreparationMilitary buildupMilitary buildup

Build military Build military machine, train machine, train militias, stockpile militias, stockpile weapons, and weapons, and distribute them to distribute them to killers.killers.

Prevention: PreparationPrevention: Preparation With evidence of arms shipments and militia With evidence of arms shipments and militia

training, and planned killings, a Genocide training, and planned killings, a Genocide Alert™ should be declared.Alert™ should be declared.

UN Security Council should warn it will act UN Security Council should warn it will act only if only if it it reallyreally intends to take forceful action. intends to take forceful action.

World leaders must warn potential World leaders must warn potential perpetrators they will be tried for their crimes.perpetrators they will be tried for their crimes.

Humanitarian relief should be prepared.Humanitarian relief should be prepared. Regional military intervention forcesRegional military intervention forces should should

be organized, including logistics and be organized, including logistics and financing.financing.

Stage 8: PersecutionStage 8: Persecution Separate victims Separate victims

because of their because of their ethnic or ethnic or religious identity.religious identity.

Expropriate Expropriate property of victim property of victim group.group.

Stage 8: PersecutionStage 8: Persecution Forcibly displace Forcibly displace

victims from their victims from their homes.homes.

Force them into Force them into ghettos – Poland ghettos – Poland 1939 – 1942 or 1939 – 1942 or deserts Armenia deserts Armenia 1915; Darfur 20031915; Darfur 2003

Stage 9: ExterminationStage 9: Extermination (Genocide, Politicide, Mass Murder) (Genocide, Politicide, Mass Murder)

Extermination begins, Extermination begins, and becomes the and becomes the mass killing legally mass killing legally called "called "genocidegenocide" or " or ““politicide.politicide.””

Most genocide is Most genocide is committed by committed by governments.governments.

Einsatzgrupen: Nazi Killing Squads

Extermination (Genocide)Extermination (Genocide) Although most genocide Although most genocide

is sponsored and is sponsored and financed by the state, the financed by the state, the armed forces often work armed forces often work with local militias. with local militias.

Rwandan militia killing squads

Nazi killing squad working with local militia

Extermination (Genocide)Extermination (Genocide)

Roma (Gypsies) in a Nazi death camp

•The killing is “extermination” to the killers because they do not believe the victims are fully human. They are “cleansing” the society of impurities, disease, animals, vermin, “cockroaches,” or enemies.

Jewish women massacred , Mizocz, Ukraine 1942Jewish women massacred , Mizocz, Ukraine 1942

Stage 9: ExterminationStage 9: Extermination

SS finishing massacre, Mizocz, Ukraine, 1942SS finishing massacre, Mizocz, Ukraine, 1942

Stage 9: Stage 9: ExterminationExtermination

Stage 9:Stage 9:ExterminationExtermination

SS SS EinsatzgrupenEinsatzgrupenCommando Commando shootsshootslast Jew left last Jew left alive in Vinica, alive in Vinica, Ukraine, 1942Ukraine, 1942

Stage 9: Extermination:Stage 9: Extermination:Mechanized MassacreMechanized Massacre

Build extermination Build extermination camps – Auschwitz-camps – Auschwitz-Birkenau .Birkenau .

Call them Call them ““labor labor camps.camps.””

Transport victims to Transport victims to camps, kill, and camps, kill, and cremate them.cremate them.

Buchenwald Death Camp CrematoriaBuchenwald Death Camp Crematoria

Stage 9: ExterminationStage 9: Extermination

Tuol Sleng (S-21), CambodiaTuol Sleng (S-21), Cambodia

Photos © Gregory Stanton 1980

Choeung Ek Mass Grave

Extermination:Extermination: How to Stop the Genocide How to Stop the Genocide

Intervention by a regional army should be Intervention by a regional army should be organized to drive the genocidists out of organized to drive the genocidists out of power.power.

The UN Security Council should authorize The UN Security Council should authorize armed intervention by regional military armed intervention by regional military forces under Chapter Seven of the UN forces under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter.Charter.

If UN Security Council is paralyzed, the UN If UN Security Council is paralyzed, the UN General Assembly or regional forces may General Assembly or regional forces may authorize intervention. UNGA Res. 377 (1950)authorize intervention. UNGA Res. 377 (1950)

Intervention to Stop GenocideIntervention to Stop Genocide The Mandate must include protection The Mandate must include protection

of civilians and humanitarian workers of civilians and humanitarian workers and a No Fly Zone.and a No Fly Zone.

The Rules of Engagement must The Rules of Engagement must include prevention of killing not just include prevention of killing not just in self-defense, but of all civilians.in self-defense, but of all civilians.

The major military powers must The major military powers must provide leadership, logistics, airlift, provide leadership, logistics, airlift, communications, and financing.communications, and financing.

Stage 10: DenialStage 10: Denial Denial occurs during and after genocide.Denial occurs during and after genocide. Continuing denial triples probability of Continuing denial triples probability of

further genocide.further genocide. Denial extends crime of genocide to future Denial extends crime of genocide to future

generations of victims. It is a continuation generations of victims. It is a continuation of the intent to destroy the group. of the intent to destroy the group.

The tactics of denial are predictable.The tactics of denial are predictable.

Stage 10: Tactics of DenialStage 10: Tactics of Denial Attack the truth tellers. They committed crimes.Attack the truth tellers. They committed crimes. Deny or minimize the evidence or numbers. Deny or minimize the evidence or numbers. Deny genocidal intent. Blame natural forces.Deny genocidal intent. Blame natural forces. Blame civil or international war.Blame civil or international war. Blame the victims – a disloyal minority.Blame the victims – a disloyal minority. Deny facts fit legal definition of genocide.Deny facts fit legal definition of genocide. Claim of genocide would harm Claim of genocide would harm ““peace process.peace process.”” Claim of genocide would harm current interests.Claim of genocide would harm current interests.

Prevention of DenialPrevention of Denial Arrest and try perpetrators of genocide in Arrest and try perpetrators of genocide in

international, domestic, or mixed courts.international, domestic, or mixed courts. Create truth commissions to document the facts Create truth commissions to document the facts

about the genocide and publish them.about the genocide and publish them. Hold public truth and reconciliation forums for Hold public truth and reconciliation forums for

neighbors to confess and apologize.neighbors to confess and apologize. Incorporate education about the genocide in the Incorporate education about the genocide in the

curriculum of every secondary school.curriculum of every secondary school. Make films and radio programs for the public. Make films and radio programs for the public.

Prevention needs Political WillPrevention needs Political Will We need an We need an international mass movement tointernational mass movement to end end

genocidegenocide.. Organize civil society and human rights groups.Organize civil society and human rights groups. Mobilize religious leaders of churches, mosques, Mobilize religious leaders of churches, mosques,

synagogues, and temples.synagogues, and temples. Put genocide education in curricula of every Put genocide education in curricula of every

secondary school and university in the world.secondary school and university in the world. Hold political leaders accountable. If they fail to Hold political leaders accountable. If they fail to

act to stop genocide, vote them out of office.act to stop genocide, vote them out of office.

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