UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes (Vocabulary Review)

This set of flashcards introduces the essential vocabulary and core concepts contained in the United Nations “Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes,” helping learners recall definitions, risk factors, legal foundations and key preventive principles in English.

Atrocity Crimes

Umbrella term for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, considered the gravest offenses against humankind.

Genocide

Intentional destruction, in whole or in part, of a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as defined in the 1948 Genocide Convention.

Crimes Against Humanity

Certain acts (e.g., murder, enslavement, torture) committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population.

War Crimes

Serious violations of international humanitarian law committed during armed conflict, incurring individual criminal responsibility.

Ethnic Cleansing

Deliberate policy to forcibly remove a population from a territory on ethnic or religious grounds; not a separate crime in law but may constitute atrocity crimes.

Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

2005 World Summit principle affirming each State’s duty to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

Special Adviser on Genocide Prevention

UN official who acts as an early-warning mechanism and advises the Secretary-General and Security Council on situations at risk of genocide.

Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect

UN official who develops policy and operational guidance on implementing R2P and works with the genocide adviser.

Protected Groups

National, ethnical, racial or religious communities safeguarded under the Genocide Convention.

Civilian Population

All persons who are not members of armed forces; primary victim group contemplated in crimes against humanity assessments.

Persons Protected under IHL

Wounded, sick, shipwrecked, POWs, civilians and other individuals shielded by the Geneva Conventions and their Protocols during conflict.

Framework of Analysis

UN tool (2014) listing risk factors and indicators to assess the likelihood of atrocity crimes and guide preventive action.

Risk Factor

Condition that increases the susceptibility of a State or population to atrocity crimes (e.g., armed conflict, impunity).

Indicator

Observable manifestation of a risk factor, used to gauge presence or intensity of a particular risk.

Early Warning

Timely collection and analysis of information to detect escalating risks and enable preventive measures before atrocities occur.

Conflict-Armed Situation

Risk Factor 1: International or non-international armed conflict or severe instability that pressures State structures.

Impunity

Failure to hold perpetrators accountable, which fuels recurrence of serious human-rights and humanitarian-law violations.

Weak State Structures

Risk Factor 3: Poor legal frameworks, weak judiciary or lack of civilian control over security forces, reducing protective capacity.

Motives or Incentives

Risk Factor 4: Political, economic, ideological or security interests driving actors to employ mass violence.

Capacity to Commit Atrocity Crimes

Risk Factor 5: Availability of arms, logistics, manpower and support that enable large-scale violent campaigns.

Mitigation Factors

Elements—such as strong civil society, free media, UN presence—that can prevent or lessen atrocity violence; their absence is Risk Factor 6.

Preparatory Actions

Risk Factor 7: Steps like arming militias, passing discriminatory laws or creating ghettos that pave the way for atrocities.

Triggering Factors

Risk Factor 8: Immediate events (e.g., coups, assassinations, inflammatory elections) that spark the onset of mass violence.

Inter-group Tension & Discrimination

Genocide-specific Risk Factor 9: Long-standing hostility or exclusion targeting a protected group.

Intent to Destroy

Genocide-specific Risk Factor 10: Evidence—direct or inferred—of plans to annihilate a protected group.

Widespread or Systematic Attack

Crimes-against-humanity Risk Factor 11: Patterns showing large-scale or organized violence against civilians.

Plan or Policy of Attack

Crimes-against-humanity Risk Factor 12: State or organizational strategy directing violence toward a civilian population.

Threats to Protected Persons

War-crime Risk Factor 13: Conduct endangering individuals safeguarded by IHL, such as POWs or civilians.

Threats to Humanitarian or Peace Operations

War-crime Risk Factor 14: Violence or obstruction targeting aid workers or peacekeepers not directly involved in hostilities.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

Legal regime (e.g., Geneva Conventions) governing conduct of parties in armed conflict and protection of victims.

International Human Rights Law (IHRL)

Body of treaties and customary norms protecting individuals’ rights in peace and war; its grave breaches are risk signals.

Common Article 1

Provision in all Geneva Conventions requiring States to “respect and ensure respect” for IHL, interpreted to include prevention of war crimes.

Rome Statute

1998 treaty establishing the International Criminal Court and codifying definitions of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Geneva Conventions (1949)

Four core treaties forming the backbone of modern IHL, protecting wounded, shipwrecked, POWs and civilians.

Transitional Justice

Mechanisms like prosecutions, truth commissions and reparations aimed at addressing past atrocities and preventing recurrence.

Hate Speech / Incitement

Public expressions that encourage discrimination or violence against a group; often an indicator of looming atrocity crimes.

Sovereignty as Responsibility

Concept that State sovereignty includes the duty to protect populations; failure may invite international collective action.

Early-Warning Mechanism

Formal system (national, regional, UN) that continuously monitors risk indicators to flag potential atrocity situations.

Office on Genocide Prevention and R2P

UN Secretariat unit supporting the Special Advisers, conducting risk assessments and providing training & technical assistance.

Accountability

Process of holding individuals criminally responsible for atrocities, essential for deterrence and non-recurrence.