Introduction to Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights

Genocide

The intent to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

Raphael Lemkin

Polish Jew who coined the term "genocide".

Genocide Convention (Lemkin's Law)

Legally defines Genocide; participating countries are legally obligated to prevent and punish actions of genocide.

War Crimes

Serious violations of the Geneva Conventions or other legal rules of war.

Racial Group

A group of people who are distinguished from other groups of people on the basis of certain physical features.

Ethnic Group

A group of people who have a shared historical or cultural background that leads them to identify with each other.

Ethnic Cleansing

The forced removal of an ethnic group from a territory.

Prejudice

An undeserved, usually negative attitude, toward a group and its members.

Stereotype

A positive or negative generalized belief about a group of people.

Discrimination

An unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members.

Victim

In the context of genocide, a person who belongs to the targeted group.

Bystander

In the context of genocide, a person who understands what is happening but does nothing to help victims.

Perpetrator

In the context of genocide, someone who orders, assists, or engages in the act of killing.

Collaboration

The act of cooperating traitorously with an enemy that is occupying one's country.

Scapegoat Theory

The tendency to blame someone else for one's own problems.

Refugee

Someone who has lost or been driven from his/her home to escape persecution and is homeless.

Dehumanization

The process of depriving a person or group pf positive human qualities; a stage of genocide where perpetrators no longer see their victims as human.

Propaganda

Misleading or biased information used to promote a certain point of view.

United Nations

International organization founded in 1945 whose main mission is world peace.

Xenophobia

A fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers.

Human Rights

The basic rights to which all people are entitled as human beings.

Ethnocentrism

Belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word used to hide or soften the truth.

Systematic

Done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical.

State-Sponsored

Actions organized by the civil government of a country.

Sovereignty

The principle that no country can interfere in the domestic affairs of another.

Civil Rights

The rights of people in a society to equality and political and social freedom.

Persecution

To harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, hurt, or remove rights.

Extremist

A person who holds fanatical political or religious views and supports radical action to achieve their goals.

Crimes Against Humanity

Widespread or systematic attacks against civilians, including acts such as murder, torture, and enslavement, committed as part of a policy or plan.