eight stages of genocide and preventing genocide by gregory stanton, genocide watch may 2008

8/17/2019 Eight Stages of Genocide and Preventing Genocide by Gregory Stanton, Genocide Watch May 2008

1/50

The Eight Stages ofThe Eight Stages of

GenocideGenocide

Dr. Gregory StantonDr. Gregory Stanton

Genocide WatchGenocide Watch © 2007 Gregory Stanton


2/50

The 8 Stages of GenocideThe 8 Stages of Genocide

Understanding the genocidal process isUnderstanding the genocidal process isone of the most important steps inone of the most important steps inpreventing future genocides.preventing future genocides.

The Eight Stages of Genocide were rstThe Eight Stages of Genocide were rst

outlined y Dr. Greg Stanton! Departmentoutlined y Dr. Greg Stanton! Departmentof State" #$$%.of State" #$$%. The rst si& stages are Early Warnings"The rst si& stages are Early Warnings"

'lassication'lassication

Symoli(ationSymoli(ation Dehumani(ationDehumani(ation )rgani(ation)rgani(ation *olari(ation*olari(ation

*reparation*reparation


3/50

Stage #" 'lassicationStage #" 'lassication

++Us versus them,Us versus them,

Distinguish y nationality! ethnicity! race! orDistinguish y nationality! ethnicity! race! orreligion.religion.

-ipolar societies /wanda0 most li1ely to have-ipolar societies /wanda0 most li1ely to havegenocide ecause no way for classications togenocide ecause no way for classications tofade away through inter2marriage.fade away through inter2marriage.

'lassication is a primary method of dividing'lassication is a primary method of dividingsociety and creating a power struggle etweensociety and creating a power struggle etweengroups.groups.


4/50

'lassication /wanda0'lassication /wanda0-elgian colonialists elieved Tutsis were a naturally

superior noility! descended from the 3sraelite trie of

4am. The /wandan royalty was Tutsi.

-elgians distinguished etween 4utus and Tutsis y nosesi(e! height 5 eye type. 6nother indicator to distinguish4utu farmers from Tutsi pastoralists was the numer ofcattle owned.


5/50

*revention" 'lassication*revention" 'lassication

*romote common identities*romote common identitiesnational! religious! human.0national! religious! human.0

Use common languages Swahili inUse common languages Swahili inTan(ania! science! music.0Tan(ania! science! music.0

6ctively oppose racist and divisive 6ctively oppose racist and divisivepoliticians and parties.politicians and parties.


6/50

Stage 7" Symoli(ationStage 7" Symoli(ation ames" +9ew,! +German,! +4utu,!+Tutsi,.

:anguages.

Types of dress.Group uniforms" a(i Swasti1aarmands

'olors and religious symols"

• ;ellow star for 9ews

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.volkermord.com/freehosting/wk-youth/Files/Swastika.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.volkermord.com/freehosting/wk-youth/SitePages/downloads.htm&h=1024&w=1280&sz=360&tbnid=8poUYzpnDCjTtM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=150&hl=en&start=82&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dswastika%26start%3D80%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DNhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.volkermord.com/freehosting/wk-youth/Files/Swastika.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.volkermord.com/freehosting/wk-youth/SitePages/downloads.htm&h=1024&w=1280&sz=360&tbnid=8poUYzpnDCjTtM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=150&hl=en&start=82&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dswastika%26start%3D80%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DNhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.volkermord.com/freehosting/wk-youth/Files/Swastika.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.volkermord.com/freehosting/wk-youth/SitePages/downloads.htm&h=1024&w=1280&sz=360&tbnid=8poUYzpnDCjTtM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=150&hl=en&start=82&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dswastika%26start%3D80%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN


7/50

Stage 7" Sym o (at ontage " ym o (at on/wanda0/wanda0+Ethnicity, was rst noted on cards y -elgian 'olonial

6uthorities in #$==.

Tutsis were given access to limited education programsand 'atholic priesthood. 4utus were given less assistance

y colonial auhorities.

6t independence! these preferences were reversed. 4utus were favored.

These 3D cards were later used to distinguish Tutsis from4utus in the #$$> massacres of Tutsis and moderate

4utus that resulted in 8??!???@ deaths.

li i i


8/50

Symoli(ation a(iSymoli(ation a(iGermany0Germany0

9ewish *assport" +/eisepAss,

/eBuired to e carried y all 9ews y #$=8. *recededthe yellow star.

S li i i


9/50

Symoli(ation a(iSymoli(ation a(iGermany0Germany0a(is reBuired the yellow Star of David

emlem to e worn y nearly all 9ews ina(i2occupied Europe y #$>#.

li i i


10/50

Symoli(ation a(iSymoli(ation a(iGermany0Germany0

4omose&uals C pin1 triangles4omose&uals C pin1 triangles

3dentied homose&uals to SS guards in the3dentied homose&uals to SS guards in thecampscamps

'aused discrimination y fellow inmates'aused discrimination y fellow inmates who shunned homose&uals who shunned homose&uals


11/50

Symoli(ationSymoli(ation'amodia0'amodia0

*eople in the Eastern*eople in the Eastern


12/50

*revention"*revention"Symoli(ationSymoli(ation

Get ethnic! religious! racial! andGet ethnic! religious! racial! andnational identities removed from 3Dnational identities removed from 3Dcards! passports.cards! passports.

*rotest imposition of mar1ing symols*rotest imposition of mar1ing symolson targeted groups yellow cloth onon targeted groups yellow cloth on4indus in Talian 6fghanistan0.4indus in Talian 6fghanistan0.

*rotest negative or racist words for*rotest negative or racist words for

groups +niggers! 1aFirs!, etc.0 Wor1 togroups +niggers! 1aFirs!, etc.0 Wor1 toma1e them culturally unacceptale.ma1e them culturally unacceptale.


13/50

Stage =" Dehumani(ationStage =" Dehumani(ation )ne group denies the humanity of another)ne group denies the humanity of another

group! and ma1es the victim group seemgroup! and ma1es the victim group seemsuhuman.suhuman.

Dehumani(ation overcomes the normal humanDehumani(ation overcomes the normal humanrevulsion against murder.revulsion against murder.

.angura ewspaper!/wanda" +The Solution for

Tutsi 'oc1roaches,

Der Strmer a(iewspaper"

+The -lood HlowsI The 9ewGrins,


14/50

Dehumani(ationDehumani(ation

'aption" Does the same soul dwell in theseodiesJ

Hrom a a(i SS *ropaganda*amphlet"


15/50

Dehumani(ationDehumani(ation

4ate4ate propaganda in speeches, print and on hatepropaganda in speeches, print and on hateradios vilify the victim group.radios vilify the victim group.

Members of the victim group are described asMembers of the victim group are described asanimals! vermin!animals! vermin! andand diseasesdiseases.. Hate radio, RadioHate radio, RadioTélévision Libre des Mille Collines, during the RandanTélévision Libre des Mille Collines, during the Randan

genocide in !""#, broadcast anti$Tutsi messages li%e &%illgenocide in !""#, broadcast anti$Tutsi messages li%e &%illthethe coc1roachescoc1roaches' and &(f this' and &(f this diseasedisease is not treatedis not treatedimmediately, it ill destroy all the Hutu.'immediately, it ill destroy all the Hutu.'

)ehumani*ation invo%es)ehumani*ation invo%es superiority superiority of one groupof one group

andand inferiority inferiority of the &other.'of the &other.' )ehumani*ation +usties murder by calling it &)ehumani*ation +usties murder by calling it &ethnicethnic

cleansingcleansing,' or &,' or &puricationpurication.' -uch.' -uch euphemismseuphemisms hide the horror of mass murder.hide the horror of mass murder.


16/50

*revention"*revention"Dehumani(ationDehumani(ation

igorously protest use of igorously protest use ofdehumani(ing words that refer todehumani(ing words that refer topeople as +lth!, +vermin!, animalspeople as +lth!, +vermin!, animalsor diseases. Deny people usingor diseases. Deny people using

such words visas and free(e theirsuch words visas and free(e theirforeign assets and contriutions.foreign assets and contriutions.

*rosecute hate crimes and*rosecute hate crimes andincitements to commit genocide.incitements to commit genocide.

9am or shut down hate radio and 9am or shut down hate radio andtelevision stations where there istelevision stations where there isdanger of genocide.danger of genocide.


17/50

*revention"*revention"Dehumani(ationDehumani(ation

*rovide programs for tolerance*rovide programs for toleranceto radio! T! and newspapers.to radio! T! and newspapers.

Enlist religious and politicalEnlist religious and politicalleaders to spea1 out and educateleaders to spea1 out and educatefor tolerance.for tolerance.

)rgani(e inter2ethnic! interfaith!)rgani(e inter2ethnic! interfaith!and inter2racial groups to wor1and inter2racial groups to wor1against hate and genocide.against hate and genocide.


18/50

Stage >" )rgani(ationStage >" )rgani(ation Genocide is aGenocide is a groupgroup crime! so must ecrime! so must e organi(edor gani(ed.. The state usually organi(es! arms and nanciallyThe state usually organi(es! arms and nancially

supports the groups that conduct the genocidalsupports the groups that conduct the genocidalmassacres. State organi(ation is not a legalmassacres. State organi(ation is not a legalreBuirement 223ndian partition.0reBuirement 223ndian partition.0

*lans are made y elites for a +nal solution, of*lans are made y elites for a +nal solution, ofgenocidal 1illings.genocidal 1illings.


19/50

)rgani(ation /wanda0)rgani(ation /wanda0

++4utu *ower, elites4utu *ower, elitesarmed youth militiasarmed youth militiascalledcalled 3nterahamwe3nterahamwe KThose Who StandKThose Who StandTogether,0.Together,0.

The government andThe government and4utu *ower4utu *owerusinessmen providedusinessmen providedthe militias with overthe militias with overL??!??? machetes andL??!??? machetes and

other arms and set upother arms and set upcamps to train them tocamps to train them to+protect their villages,+protect their villages,y e&terminating everyy e&terminating everyTutsi.Tutsi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interahamwehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interahamwehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interahamwe


20/50

*revention" )rgani(ation*revention" )rgani(ation

Treat genocidal groups as the organi(edTreat genocidal groups as the organi(edcrime groups they are. Ma1e memershipcrime groups they are. Ma1e memershipin them illegal and demand that theirin them illegal and demand that theirleaders e arrested.leaders e arrested.

Deny visas to leaders of hate groups andDeny visas to leaders of hate groups and

free(e their foreign assets.free(e their foreign assets. 3mpose arms emargoes on hate groups3mpose arms emargoes on hate groups

and governments supporting ethnic orand governments supporting ethnic orreligious hatred.religious hatred.

'reate U commissions to enforce such'reate U commissions to enforce sucharms emargoes and call on U memersarms emargoes and call on U memersto arrest arms merchants who violateto arrest arms merchants who violatethem.them.


21/50

Stage L" *olari(ationStage L" *olari(ation E&tremists drive the groups apart.E&tremists drive the groups apart.

4ate groups roadcast and print polari(ing4ate groups roadcast and print polari(ingpropaganda.propaganda.

:aws are passed that forid intermarriage or social:aws are passed that forid intermarriage or socialinteraction.interaction.

*olitical moderates are silenced! threatened and*olitical moderates are silenced! threatened andintimidated! and 1illed.intimidated! and 1illed.

•*ulicdemonstrations

were organi(edagainst 9ewishmerchants.

• ModerateGerman dissenters

were the rst to earrested and sent

to concentrationcamps.


22/50

*olari(ation*olari(ation

6ttac1s are 6ttac1s arestaged andstaged andlamed onlamed ontargeted groups.targeted groups.

3n Germany! the /eichstag3n Germany! the /eichstagre was lamed on 9ewishre was lamed on 9ewish'ommunists in #$==.'ommunists in #$==.

'ultural centers'ultural centersof targetedof targetedgroups aregroups areattac1ed.attac1ed.)n ristalnacht in #$=8!)n ristalnacht in #$=8!

hundreds of synagogueshundreds of synagogues were urned. were urned.


23/50

*revention" *olari(ation*revention" *olari(ation

igorously protest laws or policies that igorously protest laws or policies thatsegregate or marginali(e groups! or thatsegregate or marginali(e groups! or thatdeprive whole groups of citi(enship rights.deprive whole groups of citi(enship rights.

*hysically protect moderate leaders! y use*hysically protect moderate leaders! y useof armed guards and armored vehicles.of armed guards and armored vehicles.

Demand the release of moderate leaders ifDemand the release of moderate leaders ifthey are arrested. Demand and conductthey are arrested. Demand and conduct

investigations if they are murdered.investigations if they are murdered.

)ppose coups dNOtat y e&tremists.)ppose coups dNOtat y e&tremists.


24/50

Stage %" *reparationStage %" *reparation

Members of victimMembers of victimgroups are forced togroups are forced to

earear identifyingidentifyingsymolssymols..

Death listsDeath lists arearemade.made.

ictims are ictims are

separatedseparated because of theirbecause of theirethnic or religiousethnic or religiousidentity.identity.


25/50


SegregationSegregation intointoghettoesghettoes isisimposed, victimsimposed, victimsare forced intoare forced into

concentrationconcentrationcamps.camps.

ictims are also ictims are also

deported to famine$deported to famine$struc% regions forstruc% regions for

starvationstarvation..Horced /esettlementinto Ghettos P *oland

#$=$ 2 #$>7


26/50


Weapons Weapons forfor%illing are stoc%$%illing are stoc%$piled.piled.

E&terminationE&terminationcampscamps are evenare evenbuilt. This build$built. This build$up of %illingup of %illingcapacity is a ma+orcapacity is a ma+orstep toards actualstep toards actualgenocide.genocide.


27/50

*revention" *reparation*revention" *reparation With evidence of death lists! arms With evidence of death lists! arms

shipments! militia training! and trialshipments! militia training! and trialmassacres! a Genocide 6lertQ should emassacres! a Genocide 6lertQ should edeclared.declared.

U Security 'ouncil should warn it will actU Security 'ouncil should warn it will actut only if it reallyut only if it really will will act.0act.0

Diplomats must warn potential perpetrators.Diplomats must warn potential perpetrators.

4umanitarian relief should e prepared.4umanitarian relief should e prepared.

Military intervention forces should eMilitary intervention forces should eorgani(ed! including logistics and nancing.organi(ed! including logistics and nancing.


28/50

Stage R" E&terminationStage R" E&terminationGenocide0Genocide0

/0termination/0terminationbegins, andbegins, andbecomes thebecomes the

mass %illingmass %illinglegally calledlegally called11genocidegenocide.1.1

Most genocideMost genocideis committed byis committed bygovernments.governments. Einsat(grupen" a(i illing

SBuads


29/50

E&terminationE&terminationGenocide0Genocide0

Government organi(ede&termination of Tutsis in

/wanda in #$$>


30/50


/oma Gypsies0 in aa(i death camp

•The 1illing is+e&termination, to the 1illersecause they

do not elievethe victims arefully human.They are

+cleansing, thesociety ofimpurities! disease!animals


31/50


2lthough most 2lthough mostgenocide isgenocide issponsored andsponsored and

nanced by thenanced by thestate, the armedstate, the armedforces oftenforces oftenor% ith localor% ith localmilitias.militias. /wandan militia 1illing

sBuads

a(i 1illing sBuad

wor1ing with local


32/50

E&termination" StoppingE&termination" StoppingGenocideGenocide

Regional organi*ations, nationalRegional organi*ations, nationalgovernments, and the 34 -ecurity Councilgovernments, and the 34 -ecurity Councilshould impose targeted sanctions toshould impose targeted sanctions to

undermine the economic viability of theundermine the economic viability of theperpetrator regime.perpetrator regime. -ales of oil and imports of gasoline should-ales of oil and imports of gasoline should

be stopped by bloc%ade of ports and landbe stopped by bloc%ade of ports and land

routes.routes. 5erpetrators should be indicted by the5erpetrators should be indicted by the

(nternational Criminal Court.(nternational Criminal Court.


33/50

E&termination" StoppingE&termination" StoppingGenocideGenocide

The U Security 'ouncil should authori(eThe U Security 'ouncil should authori(earmed intervention y regional militaryarmed intervention y regional militaryforces or y a U force under 'hapter Sevenforces or y a U force under 'hapter Sevenof the U 'harter.of the U 'harter.

The Mandate must include protection of civiliansThe Mandate must include protection of civiliansand humanitarian wor1ers and a o Hly


34/50

Stage 8" DenialStage 8" Denial

)enial is alays found in genocide, both)enial is alays found in genocide, bothduring it and after it.during it and after it.

Continuing denial is among the surestContinuing denial is among the surest

indicators of further genocidal massacres.indicators of further genocidal massacres. )enial e0tends the crime of genocide to)enial e0tends the crime of genocide to

future generations of the victims. (t is afuture generations of the victims. (t is acontinuation of the intent to destroy thecontinuation of the intent to destroy thegroup.group.

The tactics of denial are predictale.The tactics of denial are predictale.


35/50

Denial" Deny theDenial" Deny theEvidence.Evidence.

Deny that there was any mass 1illingDeny that there was any mass 1illingat all.at all.

uestion and minimi(e the statistics.uestion and minimi(e the statistics.

-loc1 access to archives and-loc1 access to archives and

witnesses. witnesses.

3ntimidate or 1ill eye2witnesses.3ntimidate or 1ill eye2witnesses.

D i l D thD i l D th


36/50

Denial" Deny theDenial" Deny theEvidenceEvidence

Destroy the evidence. -urn theDestroy the evidence. -urn theodies and the archives! dig upodies and the archives! dig upand urn the mass graves! throwand urn the mass graves! throwodies in rivers or seas.0odies in rivers or seas.0

4olocaust Death2'amp

'rematoria


37/50

Denial" 6ttac1 the truth2Denial" 6ttac1 the truth2tellers.tellers.

6ttac1 the motives of the truth2 6ttac1 the motives of the truth2tellers. Say they are opposed to thetellers. Say they are opposed to the

religion! ethnicity! or nationality ofreligion! ethnicity! or nationality ofthe deniers.the deniers.

*oint out atrocities committed y*oint out atrocities committed y

people from the truth2tellersN group.people from the truth2tellersN group.3mply they are morally disBualied3mply they are morally disBualiedto accuse the perpetrators.to accuse the perpetrators.


38/50

Denial" Deny GenocidalDenial" Deny Genocidal3ntent.3ntent.

'laim that the deaths were'laim that the deaths wereinadvertent due to famine!inadvertent due to famine!migration! or disease.0migration! or disease.0

-lame +out of control, forces-lame +out of control, forcesfor the 1illings.for the 1illings.

-lame the deaths on ancient-lame the deaths on ancientethnic conicts.ethnic conicts.

i l l h


39/50

Denial" -lame theDenial" -lame the ictims. ictims.

Emphasi(e the strangeness of theEmphasi(e the strangeness of the victims. They are not li1e us. victims. They are not li1e us.savages! indels0savages! indels0

'laim they were disloyal'laim they were disloyalinsurgents in a war.insurgents in a war.

'all it a +civil war!, not genocide.'all it a +civil war!, not genocide.

'laim that the deniersN group also'laim that the deniersN group alsosuFered huge losses in the +war.,suFered huge losses in the +war.,The 1illings were in self2defense.The 1illings were in self2defense.

i l f


40/50

Denial" Deny for currentDenial" Deny for currentinterests.interests.

6void upsetting +the peace process., 6void upsetting +the peace process.,+:oo1 to the future! not to the past.,+:oo1 to the future! not to the past.,

Deny to assure enets of relationsDeny to assure enets of relations

with the perpetrators or their with the perpetrators or theirdescendents. oil! arms sales!descendents. oil! arms sales!alliances! military ases0alliances! military ases0

DonNt threaten humanitarianDonNt threaten humanitarian

assistance to the victims! who areassistance to the victims! who arereceiving good treatment. Show thereceiving good treatment. Show themodel Thereisenstadt 3D* camp.0model Thereisenstadt 3D* camp.0

i l f l l d i i


41/50

)enial6 )eny facts t legal denition)enial6 )eny facts t legal denitionof genocide.of genocide.

TheyNre crimes against humanity! notTheyNre crimes against humanity! not

genocide.genocide. TheyNre +ethnic cleansing,! not genocide.TheyNre +ethnic cleansing,! not genocide. ThereNs not enough proof of specic intentThereNs not enough proof of specic intent

to destroy a group! +as such., +Manyto destroy a group! +as such., +ManysurvivedV,2survivedV,2

U 'ommission of 3nBuiry on Darfur.0U 'ommission of 3nBuiry on Darfur.0 'laim the only +real, genocides are li1e the'laim the only +real, genocides are li1e the

4olocaust" +in whole.,4olocaust" +in whole.,

3gnore the +in part, in the Genocide3gnore the +in part, in the Genocide

'onvention.0'onvention.0 'laim declaring genocide would legally'laim declaring genocide would legally

oligate us to intervene. We donNt want tooligate us to intervene. We donNt want tointervene.0intervene.0


42/50

*reventing Genocide*reventing Genocide

7y )r. 8regory -tanton7y )r. 8regory -tanton

Copyright 9::; 8regory -tantonCopyright 9::; 8regory -tanton


43/50

Why has the U not stopped Why has the U not stoppedgenocide Jgenocide J

Genocide succeeds when stateGenocide succeeds when statesovereignty loc1s internationalsovereignty loc1s internationalresponsiility to protect.responsiility to protect.

The U represents states! not peoples.The U represents states! not peoples. Since founding of U"Since founding of U")ver >L genocides and politicides)ver >L genocides and politicides

)ver R? million dead)ver R? million dead

Genocide prevention conictGenocide prevention conictresolutionresolution


44/50

5revention re


45/50

8enocide continues due to6

•:ac1 of authoritative internationalinstitutions to predict it

X:ac1 of ready rapid response forces t

U6M3/ peace1eeper in /wanda! 6pril #$$>


46/50

8enocide continues due to6

•:ac1 of political will topeacefully prevent it and to forcefully intervene to

stop it

U Security 'ouncil votes to withdraw U6M3/ troops from /wanda! 6pril

M i l t 8?? ??? / dMemorial to 8?? ??? /wandans


47/50

Memorial to 8??!??? /wandansMemorial to 8??!??? /wandansmurdered!murdered!

6pril P 9uly! #$$> 6pril P 9uly! #$$>


48/50

4alaa! urdistan! 3raB4alaa! urdistan! 3raBMemorial to L??? 1illed in chemical attac1 #%Memorial to L??? 1illed in chemical attac1 #%March #$88. #87!??? urds died in 6nfalMarch #$88. #87!??? urds died in 6nfalgenocide.genocide.


49/50

*revention" *olitical Will*revention" *olitical Will

-uild an international mass movement to-uild an international mass movement toend genocide in this century end genocide in this century .. )rgani(e civil society and human rights)rgani(e civil society and human rights

groups.groups. Moili(e religious leaders of churches!Moili(e religious leaders of churches!

mosBues! synagogues! and temples.mosBues! synagogues! and temples. *ut genocide education in curricula of every*ut genocide education in curricula of every

secondary school and university in the world.secondary school and university in the world.

4old political leaders accountale. 3f they fail4old political leaders accountale. 3f they failto act to stop genocide! vote them out ofto act to stop genocide! vote them out ofoFice.oFice.

ever 6gainJ )r 6gainever 6gainJ )r 6gain


50/50

ever 6gainJ )r 6gainever 6gainJ )r 6gainand 6gainJand 6gainJ

4ow can we use the 84ow can we use the 8

Stages of Genocide toStages of Genocide todevelop more eFectivedevelop more eFective

ways to prevent genocide ways to prevent genocidein the futureJin the futureJ

Would it e useful for the Would it e useful for theU to estalish a GenocideU to estalish a Genocide*revention 'enter to wor1*revention 'enter to wor1

with the Special 6dviser with the Special 6dviserfor Genocide *reventionJfor Genocide *reventionJ

Even with Early Warning!Even with Early Warning!how can we achievehow can we achieveeFective Early /esponse toeFective Early /esponse toprevent and stopprevent and stopgenocideJgenocideJ

eight stages of genocide and preventing genocide by gregory stanton, genocide watch may 2008

Documents