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Genocide

The Genocide Convention as found in Article 6 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) defines genocide as intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

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All Content on this topic

Namibian tribal chiefs and guests attend a ceremony at Frenzosische Dom in Berlin

Namibian tribal chiefs and guests attend a ceremony at Frenzosische Dom in Berlin

Germany rejects new negotiations over Namibia genocide

Berlin insists on implementing a controversial deal that recognizes the colonial-era genocide in Namibia.

An exhausted Rohingya reaches Bangladesh after fleeing Myanmar

An exhausted Rohingya reaches Bangladesh after fleeing Myanmar

Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar unlikely

The attitude toward Rohingya people in Myanmar seems to be changing, but not enough.

People simulate a slavery scene as part of celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Ivory Coast

People simulate a slavery scene as part of celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Ivory Coast

Africa revives push for colonial-era reparations

Africa to consolidate all reparations campaigns for colonial-era wrongs committed by Europeans.

Pope Francis meets the indigenous peoples for a silent prayer at the Maskacis cemetery, a town 100 kilometers south of Edmonton

Pope Francis meets the indigenous peoples for a silent prayer at the Maskacis cemetery, a town 100 kilometers south of Edmonton

Abuse of Canada's Indigenous was cultural 'genocide' — Pope

Pope Francis said he didn't use the term "genocide" during his Canada trip because it never came to mind.

Hundreds of Rohingya people crossing Bangladesh's border as they flee from Buchidong at Myanmar after crossing the Naf River in Bangladesh

Hundreds of Rohingya people crossing Bangladesh's border as they flee from Buchidong at Myanmar after crossing the Naf River in Bangladesh

Myanmar genocide case can proceed: UN court

The UN's top court has thrown out Myanmar's objections to a genocide case over its treatment of the Rohingya minority.

Man stand in front of a map of the Wolf's Lair

Man stand in front of a map of the Wolf's Lair

Wolf's Lair: Where Hitler planned the war

Adolf Hitler's Wolf's Lair headquarters saw him plan the war, the Holocaust, and survive an assassination attempt.

In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, visits the community of Guyuanxiang in the Tianshan District in Urumqi

In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, visits the community of Guyuanxiang in the Tianshan District in Urumqi

Xi Jinping visits Xinjiang for first time since crackdown

The visit from Xi Jinping to Xinjiang comes as the US and others slam China for its treatment of Muslim Uyghurs.

A Bosnian muslim woman prays at a grave of one of the victims of the Srebrenica massacre

A Bosnian muslim woman prays at a grave of one of the victims of the Srebrenica massacre

Netherlands apologizes for role in Srebrenica massacre

The apology comes 27 years after Dutch peacekeepers failed to prevent the slaughter of 8,000 Muslims in Srebrenica.

People walk on the road near Kibumba, north of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, as they flee fighting between Congolese forces and M23 rebels in North Kivu, Tuesday May 24, 2022.

People walk on the road near Kibumba, north of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, as they flee fighting between Congolese forces and M23 rebels in North Kivu, Tuesday May 24, 2022.

M23 rejects ceasefire deal signed between Congo and Rwanda

The rebel group called the deal reached between DRC and Rwanda "irrelevant" amid new clashes with Congo’s military.

The Armenian and Turkish flags

The Armenian and Turkish flags

Armenia, Turkey agree to partially open border

Turkey has announced the next step on the way to "full normalization" of relations between the two.

Family photographs of some of those who died in the genocide hang in a display in the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali, Rwanda

Family photographs of some of those who died in the genocide hang in a display in the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali, Rwanda

Why Rwanda doesn't celebrate Independence Day

On July 1, Rwanda marks 60 years of independence from Belgium. But there will be no pomp or festivities.

Yazidi refugees

Yazidi refugees

Yazidis in Iraq: 'Nightmare is unbelievable'

Fresh fighting has driven 1,000 Yazidi families from their homes. Despite a ceasefire, the situation remains tense.

'Moskva' takes part in a naval artillery drill

'Moskva' takes part in a naval artillery drill

Russia says its flagship 'Moskva' ship has sunk

Russia said the warship sank while being towed to port after suffering damage from a fire.

Bäckerhandwerk in Ägypten

Bäckerhandwerk in Ägypten

AfricaLink on Air — 23 March 2022

Africa's wheat crisis amid Russian war+++Guinea's mining upheaval+++ Namibia's genocide+++ Africa's climate financing

Participants gather for The 77 Percent's Street Debate on the Namibian genocide

Participants gather for The 77 Percent's Street Debate on the Namibian genocide

'The 77 Percent' hosts a debate in Namibia

Engaging with the descendants of Germany's colonial crimes is no easy task.

In this October 2017 photo, Rohingya Muslims can be seen fleeing from Myanmar to Bangladesh

In this October 2017 photo, Rohingya Muslims can be seen fleeing from Myanmar to Bangladesh

US calls Myanmar military Rohingya crackdown 'genocide'

Declaring Myanmar's army crackdown on Rohingya as a genocide is expected to boost pressure on the country's government.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague

The International Court of Justice in The Hague

ICJ orders Russia to suspend invasion of Ukraine

Although the ICJ's verdicts are binding, whether Moscow will abide is in question.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan (L) shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on the sidelines of a forum in Antalya

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan (L) shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on the sidelines of a forum in Antalya

Turkish, Armenian foreign ministers meet in bid to mend ties

Turkey and Armenia have troubled history, with Ankara cutting ties in support of Azerbaijan almost three decades ago.

Picture of ICJ flag in The Hague, The Netherlands

Picture of ICJ flag in The Hague, The Netherlands

Russia refuses to attend UN hearing on Ukraine

A Ukrainian representative told judges that "Russia must be stopped and the court has a role to play in stopping it."

A Russian tank pictured on February 27 in Crimea, near the border with UkraineCrimea

A Russian tank pictured on February 27 in Crimea, near the border with UkraineCrimea

Fact check: Russia falsely blames Ukraine for starting war

Russian says it is acting to end the "systematic extermination of the Donbass population" supposedly ongoing since 2014.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) standing behind Russian President Vladimr Putin

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) standing behind Russian President Vladimr Putin

Vladimir Putin's false war claims

Putin has justified the war by saying Russia must "denazify" Ukraine and "defend itself." DW looks at the claims.

Gideon Greif holding a copy of a German-language copy of his book "Wir weinten tränenlos" (English title: "We Wept Without Tears")

Gideon Greif holding a copy of a German-language copy of his book "Wir weinten tränenlos" (English title: "We Wept Without Tears")

Germany cancels Israeli historian award for genocide denial

Greif has been criticized for his position on the Srebrenica massacre.

Buildings at the Artux City Vocational Skills Education Training Service Center, believed to be a re-education camp where mostly Muslim ethnic minorities are detained, north of Kashgar in China's northwestern Xinjiang region

Buildings at the Artux City Vocational Skills Education Training Service Center, believed to be a re-education camp where mostly Muslim ethnic minorities are detained, north of Kashgar in China's northwestern Xinjiang region

US bans Chinese Xinjiang imports

Only companies that can show proof their products were not made with slave labor will be exempt from the ban.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center), is welcomed by his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah (right) at a meeting during they discussed the situation in Myanmar

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center), is welcomed by his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah (right) at a meeting during they discussed the situation in Myanmar

US considers more Myanmar sanctions

The Secretary of State says the US is also looking at designating repression against the Rohingya as "genocide."

The Rapid Support Forces in Sudan on a car with anti-aircraft weapons

The Rapid Support Forces in Sudan on a car with anti-aircraft weapons

Sudan: Military used heavy weapons against protesters

Footage shows the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces used anti-aircraft weapons to confront unarmed protesters.

A Rohingya refugee boy sits inside his temporary shelter near Balukhali in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

A Rohingya refugee boy sits inside his temporary shelter near Balukhali in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

Rohingya refugees sue Facebook over genocide

The refugees are requesting $150 billion over the role Facebook played in facilitating a campaign of genocide.

Taha A. -J. allegedly chained the child to a window because she had wet the bed

Taha A. -J. allegedly chained the child to a window because she had wet the bed

German court finds former 'IS' member guilty of genocide

A German court has found a former "Islamic State" militant guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Claude Muhayimana arrives for an extradition hearing at the courthouse in Paris in 2013

Claude Muhayimana arrives for an extradition hearing at the courthouse in Paris in 2013

France: Trial of driver accused in Rwanda genocide starts

The defendant is a former hotel driver accused of driving Hutus who massacred Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994.

Wildenbruchplatz during Nazi era

Wildenbruchplatz during Nazi era

Schalke fans keeping the memory of deportation of Jews alive

Members of the project traced individual fates as they aim to ensure that what happened in their city is not forgotten.

Photo of Alice Wairimu Nderitu, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide

Photo of Alice Wairimu Nderitu, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide

Ethiopia's war: UN adviser on genocide prevention weighs in

The UN's special adviser on genocide says the parties fighting in Ethiopia's war have few options but to negotiate.

Two girls stand in a narrow lane between rows of beige tents

Two girls stand in a narrow lane between rows of beige tents

Yazidis still displaced in their own country

Years after the Yazidi massacre by the "Islamic State," tens of thousands of survivors still aren't able to return home.

Myanmar politician Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar politician Aung San Suu Kyi

What can we expect from Aung San Suu Kyi's trial?

The show trial is intended to prevent her return to politics. But it may end up cementing her legendary status.

Two protesters holding a banner with the word "Reparationen" misspelled

Two protesters holding a banner with the word "Reparationen" misspelled

Namibia: A timeline of Germany's brutal colonial history

Though relatively short-lived, Germany's colonial presence has had a major impact on present-day Namibia.

Protesters march in Windhoek, Namibia

Protesters march in Windhoek, Namibia

Namibia debates German genocide deal

Critics have said the ruling government wants to push through the joint agreement, and have called for reparations.

Paul Rusesabagina is pictured in handcuffs accompanied by the police

Paul Rusesabagina is pictured in handcuffs accompanied by the police

Rwanda court finds 'Hotel Rwanda' hero guilty of terrorism

Paul Rusesabagina is a critic of President Paul Kagame and was portrayed as a hero in a film about the 1994 genocide.

Rwanda | Paul Rusesabagina |

Rwanda | Paul Rusesabagina |

'Hotel Rwanda' hero awaits verdict

Paul Rusesabagina inspired the film "Hotel Rwanda". Now he has to confront a verdict on terror-related accusations.

Ex-president Jeanine Anez arrives to the parliament following the resignation of Evo Morales

Ex-president Jeanine Anez arrives to the parliament following the resignation of Evo Morales

Bolivia charges ex-president with 'genocide'

Former leader Jeanine Anez is charged with staging a coup and committing "genocide" against supporters of Evo Morales.

Former Khmer Rouge head of state Khieu Samphan sits inside the courtroom of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) as he awaits a verdict, in 2018.

Former Khmer Rouge head of state Khieu Samphan sits inside the courtroom of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) as he awaits a verdict, in 2018.

Ex-Khmer Rouge leader appeals against genocide conviction

The Khmer Rouge terrorized Cambodia between 1975 and 1979.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir delivers a speech inside Parliament in Khartoum

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir delivers a speech inside Parliament in Khartoum

Sudan to deliver Omar al-Bashir to ICC

The former Sudanese president is facing International Criminal Court charges of crimes against humanity and genocide.

A woman wears a mask stamped with a message that reads in Portuguese 'Out Bolsonaro'

A woman wears a mask stamped with a message that reads in Portuguese 'Out Bolsonaro'

ICC asked to probe Brazil's Bolsonaro over alleged genocide

Indigenous groups have filed a request with the ICC for it to investigate Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.

A Bosnian Muslim woman cries between the graves of her father, two grandfathers and other close relatives, all victims of Srebrenica genocide

A Bosnian Muslim woman cries between the graves of her father, two grandfathers and other close relatives, all victims of Srebrenica genocide

Bosnia's peace envoy outlaws genocide denial

The new legislation comes amid attempts to downplay the 1995 Srebrenica massacre.

Supporters of the East Turkistan National Awakening Movement rally

Supporters of the East Turkistan National Awakening Movement rally

US renews China 'genocide' claims over Uyghur treatment

Eritrea, Ethiopia, Myanmar and South Sudan were also cited in the report on genocide and atrocities.

A woman mourns beside a memorial in Vancouver for indigenous children discovered in unmarked graves at the Kamloops residential school last month

A woman mourns beside a memorial in Vancouver for indigenous children discovered in unmarked graves at the Kamloops residential school last month

New unmarked graves near school for Canada's indigenous

Canada's First Nations have found a third group of unmarked graves at an assimilation school in recent weeks.

In Washington DC, a protester holds aloft a 'Boycott Beijing 2022 Olympics' sign

In Washington DC, a protester holds aloft a 'Boycott Beijing 2022 Olympics' sign

Growing momentum for Beijing Olympics boycott

Allegations of human rights abuses against the Uyghurs have galvanized a push for a full boycott of the 2022 Games.

Black and white portrait of Vekuii Rukoro

Black and white portrait of Vekuii Rukoro

Namibia: Herero Chief Rukoro dies after COVID diagnosis

The veteran thrust his people's plight into the spotlight, urging German reparations for colonial-era atrocities.

Karim Khan, British international human rights lawyer and ICC chief prosecutor.

Karim Khan, British international human rights lawyer and ICC chief prosecutor.

ICC: New chief prosecutor divides opinions in Africa

Some Africans view Khan as a defender of war criminals, while others applaud him for representing oppressed victims.

DW Okeri Ngutjinazo

DW Okeri Ngutjinazo

Germany's Namibian genocide apology could miss the mark

Okeri Ngutjinazo

Germany's apology for its atrocities against Namibia's Nama and Herero people might not appease everyone.

A young Herero man in a shanty town in Okakarara, Namibia

A young Herero man in a shanty town in Okakarara, Namibia

Namibian opposition rails against settlement with Germany

Lawmakers debated a settlement that will see Germany apologize and pay for atrocities the opposition is furious.

General Ratko Mladic saluting, pictured in 1995.

General Ratko Mladic saluting, pictured in 1995.

UN court rejects 'Butcher of Bosnia' war crimes appeal

Former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic's life sentence for genocide and other war crimes has been upheld.

Ratko Mladic at the International Criminal Tribunal

Ratko Mladic at the International Criminal Tribunal

Ratko Mladic faces appeal judgment

On Tuesday a UN appeals court hands down its final verdict to the former Bosnian Serb military chief.