Genocide: Consequences

Genocide is one of the most atrocious crimes known to humanity.

Genocide is one of the most atrocious crimes known to humanity. It is an indiscriminate killing of a group of people with total disregard for the individual. Its immediate effect is death and dehumanization. Its long term implications include global fragmentation and political disintegration through escalation and the collapse of international order.

In the last century, the number of battle-related victims is much smaller than that of genocides, indicating that genocide has a higher mortality rate. The inherent quality of killing on the basis of identity makes it worse than warfare. Genocide is usually inflicted on noncombatants who cannot defend themselves: infants, children, expectant mothers, the elderly, and civilians in general. Furthermore, genocide represents an egregious violation of basic human rights – the right to live.

It disregards international law, creates political instability, destroys entire cultures, and obliterates of morals.

Genocide also has global impacts – it disregards international law, creates political instability, destroys entire cultures, and obliterates of morals.  Kenneth J. Campbell in Genocide and the Global Villageindicates that unchecked genocide will eradicate global cooperation and make larger conflicts inevitable. If genocide goes unchecked, no group is safe as every group could be the next. Campbell further says that even the most powerful nations may be drawn in and ultimately may threaten civilization through accidental or intentional use of more powerful weapons.

powerful weapons.

Sources Consulted

Sources

  • Campbell, Kenneth J. Genocide and the Global Village. 2001. 1-34.
  • O'Donnell, Michael J. "GENOCIDE, THE UNITED NATIONS, AND THE DEATH OF ABSOLUTE RIGHTS." Boston College Third World Law Journal (2003).
  • Power, Samantha. A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide. Harper Perennial, 2003.
  • Scherrer, Christian P. "Central Africa: History of a Troubled Region." Genocide and Crisis in Central Africa. 2002. 57-58.