Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Genocide is a very bad thing that happens when people try to hurt or kill a whole group of other people just because they are different. This can be because of their race, religion, or where they come from. It is against the law all over the world. People who plan, help, or do these bad things can be punished. Even if someone tells others to do it, they can be punished too. This is called incitement. It is important to be kind to everyone, no matter how they are different from us.
Genocide is a very serious crime that is considered the "crime of crimes" under international law. It involves intentionally trying to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group by committing certain acts against them. These acts include:
People who plan, order, commit, or help with these acts can be held responsible for genocide. This includes both public and private individuals. Leaders can also be held responsible for the actions of their subordinates if they knew about them and did not try to stop them.
Genocidal intent means that the acts were committed specifically because the victims belonged to a certain group. This intent can be inferred from circumstantial evidence if there is no direct evidence. Incitement to commit genocide is also a crime, even if the genocide does not actually happen.
One example of genocide is the Holocaust, where the Nazi regime in Germany tried to exterminate Jewish people. Another example is the Rwandan genocide, where the Hutu majority tried to kill Tutsi people. In both cases, the perpetrators committed acts of killing, causing harm, and making conditions unbearable for the targeted group.
Another example of incitement to commit genocide is the radio broadcasts in Rwanda that encouraged Hutu people to kill Tutsi people. Even though the people who made the broadcasts did not directly commit genocide, they were still held responsible for inciting others to do so.
These examples illustrate how genocide involves intentional acts of violence and harm against a specific group of people. It is a very serious crime that can have devastating consequences for the victims and their communities.
Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols | genuine issue of material fact