The U N Genocide Convention gives the characteristics of genocide:
“Acts committed with intention to destroy, in whole or part, a national, ethical, racial or religious groups including,
- Killing members of the groups
- Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the groups
- Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
- Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the groups
- Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group
We may think of Rwanda, Nazi Germany, Afghanistan, Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Guinea, Thailand or Chad. But, what about the so-called democratic nations near home? Time to ask why agenda-based attacks on minority communities by ruling factions or their functionaries? Aren’t selective attacks on particular communities, reducing their homes to dust by hired goondas, civil authorities or the corrupt police elements of acts genocide?
Why vicious attacks on churches, mosques and worshiping places by religious fundamentalist zealots? Such activities and more!
Haven’t these characteristics of genocide?
Time the citizen gentry and people of conscience take note and act to say no to fascist and fundamentalist forces out to destroy people’s dignity, identity, and existential rights.
Let educators take note. Cultivate good fellow feelings in your students. Nip in the bud tendencies of caste hatred or arrogant attitude in them. Education is to bring the best of humanity in them.
Let politicians and governance-wielding leaders take note that human beings have dignity and worth and are not dirt to be trampled underfoot or ladder for their selfish power hanger.
Let despots and power mongers of nations be shown the door!
Preventing genocide involves all of society. It is crucial that we all join hands to defend the principles of equality and human dignity and to repair the fissures and polarization that are so prevalent in our societies today.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres