1

The Eight Stages of The Eight Stages of GenocideGenocide

Dr. Gregory StantonDr. Gregory StantonGenocide WatchGenocide Watch

© 2007 Gregory Stanton

The 8 Stages of The 8 Stages of GenocideGenocide

Understanding the genocidal process is Understanding the genocidal process is one of the most important steps in one of the most important steps in preventing future genocides.preventing future genocides.

The Eight Stages of Genocide were first The Eight Stages of Genocide were first outlined by Dr. Greg Stanton, outlined by Dr. Greg Stanton, Department of State: 1996. Department of State: 1996.

The first six stages are Early Warnings:The first six stages are Early Warnings: ClassificationClassification SymbolizationSymbolization DehumanizationDehumanization OrganizationOrganization PolarizationPolarization Preparation Preparation

Stage 1: ClassificationStage 1: Classification ““Us versus them”Us versus them”

Distinguish by nationality, ethnicity, race, Distinguish by nationality, ethnicity, race, or religion. or religion.

Bipolar societies (Rwanda) most likely to Bipolar societies (Rwanda) most likely to have genocide because no way for have genocide because no way for classifications to fade away through inter-classifications to fade away through inter-marriage. marriage.

Classification is a primary method of Classification is a primary method of

dividing society and creating a power dividing society and creating a power struggle between groups.struggle between groups.

Classification (Rwanda)Classification (Rwanda)Belgian colonialists believed Tutsis were a naturally

superior nobility, descended from the Israelite tribe of Ham. The Rwandan royalty was Tutsi.

Belgians distinguished between Hutus and Tutsis by nose size, height & eye type. Another indicator to distinguish Hutu farmers from Tutsi pastoralists was the number of cattle owned.

Prevention: Prevention: ClassificationClassification

Promote common identities Promote common identities (national, religious, human.)(national, religious, human.)

Use common languages (Swahili in Use common languages (Swahili in Tanzania, science, music.)Tanzania, science, music.)

Actively oppose racist and divisive Actively oppose racist and divisive politicians and parties.politicians and parties.

Stage 2: SymbolizationStage 2: Symbolization Names: “Jew”, “German”, “Hutu”, “Tutsi”.

Languages. Types of dress.

Group uniforms: Nazi Swastika armbands

Colors and religious symbols:

•Yellow star for Jews

•Blue checked scarf Eastern Zone in Cambodia

Stage 2: Symbolization Stage 2: Symbolization (Rwanda)(Rwanda)(Rwanda)(Rwanda)

“Ethnicity” was first noted on cards by Belgian Colonial Authorities in 1933.

Tutsis were given access to limited education programs and Catholic priesthood. Hutus were given less assistance

by colonial authorities.

At independence, these preferences were reversed. Hutus were favored.

These ID cards were later used to distinguish Tutsis from Hutus in the 1994 massacres of Tutsis and moderate Hutus

that resulted in 800,000+ deaths.

Symbolization (Nazi) Symbolization (Nazi) Germany)Germany)

Jewish Passport: “Reisepäss”

Required to be carried by all Jews by 1938. Preceded the yellow star.

Symbolization (Nazi Symbolization (Nazi Germany)Germany)

Nazis required the yellow Star of David emblem to be worn by nearly all Jews in

Nazi-occupied Europe by 1941.

Symbolization (Nazi Symbolization (Nazi Germany)Germany)

Homosexuals = pink trianglesHomosexuals = pink triangles Identified homosexuals to SS guards in the Identified homosexuals to SS guards in the

camps camps Caused discrimination by fellow inmates Caused discrimination by fellow inmates

who shunned homosexualswho shunned homosexuals

Symbolization Symbolization (Cambodia)(Cambodia) People in the People in the

Eastern Zone, Eastern Zone, near Vietnam, near Vietnam, were accused of were accused of having “Khmer having “Khmer bodies, but bodies, but Vietnamese Vietnamese heads.”heads.”

They were They were deported to other deported to other areas to be areas to be worked to death.worked to death.

They were They were marked with a marked with a blue and white blue and white checked scarf checked scarf

Prevention: Prevention: SymbolizationSymbolization Get ethnic, religious, racial, and Get ethnic, religious, racial, and

national identities removed from national identities removed from ID cards, passports.ID cards, passports.

Protest imposition of marking Protest imposition of marking symbols on targeted groups symbols on targeted groups (yellow cloth on Hindus in (yellow cloth on Hindus in Taliban Afghanistan).Taliban Afghanistan).

Protest negative or racist words Protest negative or racist words for groups (“niggers, kaffirs,” for groups (“niggers, kaffirs,” etc.) Work to make them etc.) Work to make them culturally unacceptable.culturally unacceptable.

Stage 3: DehumanizationStage 3: Dehumanization One group denies the humanity of another One group denies the humanity of another

group, and makes the victim group seem group, and makes the victim group seem subhuman.subhuman.

Dehumanization overcomes the normal human Dehumanization overcomes the normal human revulsion against murder.revulsion against murder.

.Kangura Newspaper, Rwanda: “The Solution for Tutsi Cockroaches”

Der Stürmer Nazi Newspaper:“The Blood Flows; The Jew Grins”

DehumanizationDehumanization

Caption: Does the same soul dwell in these bodies?

From a Nazi SS Propaganda Pamphlet:

Dehumanization Dehumanization

HateHate propaganda in speeches, print and on hate propaganda in speeches, print and on hate radios vilify the victim group.radios vilify the victim group.

Members of the victim group are described as Members of the victim group are described as animals, vermin, animals, vermin, andand diseases diseases.. Hate radio, Radio Hate radio, Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines, during the Rwandan Télévision Libre des Mille Collines, during the Rwandan genocide in 1994, broadcast anti-Tutsi messages like “kill genocide in 1994, broadcast anti-Tutsi messages like “kill the the cockroachescockroaches” and “If this ” and “If this diseasedisease is not treated is not treated immediately, it will destroy all the Hutu.”immediately, it will destroy all the Hutu.”

Dehumanization invokes Dehumanization invokes superioritysuperiority of one of one group and group and inferiorityinferiority of the “other.” of the “other.”

Dehumanization justifies murder by calling it “Dehumanization justifies murder by calling it “ethnic ethnic cleansingcleansing,” or “,” or “purificationpurification.” Such .” Such euphemismseuphemisms hide the horror of mass murder. hide the horror of mass murder.

Prevention: Prevention: DehumanizationDehumanization

Vigorously protest use of Vigorously protest use of dehumanizing words that refer to dehumanizing words that refer to people as “filth,” “vermin,” people as “filth,” “vermin,” animals or diseases. Deny people animals or diseases. Deny people using such words visas and freeze using such words visas and freeze their foreign assets and their foreign assets and contributions.contributions.

Prosecute hate crimes and Prosecute hate crimes and incitements to commit genocide.incitements to commit genocide.

Jam or shut down hate radio and Jam or shut down hate radio and television stations where there is television stations where there is danger of genocide.danger of genocide.

Prevention: Prevention: DehumanizationDehumanization

Provide programs for tolerance Provide programs for tolerance to radio, TV, and newspapers.to radio, TV, and newspapers.

Enlist religious and political Enlist religious and political leaders to speak out and leaders to speak out and educate for tolerance.educate for tolerance.

Organize inter-ethnic, interfaith, Organize inter-ethnic, interfaith, and inter-racial groups to work and inter-racial groups to work against hate and genocide.against hate and genocide.

Stage 4: OrganizationStage 4: Organization Genocide is a Genocide is a group group crime, so must be crime, so must be organizedorganized.. The state usually organizes, arms and financially The state usually organizes, arms and financially

supports the groups that conduct the genocidal supports the groups that conduct the genocidal massacres. (State organization is not a legal massacres. (State organization is not a legal requirement.) requirement.)

Plans are made by elites for a “final solution” of Plans are made by elites for a “final solution” of genocidal killings.genocidal killings.

Organization (Rwanda)Organization (Rwanda) ““Hutu Power” elites Hutu Power” elites

armed youth militias armed youth militias called called InterahamweInterahamwe ("Those Who Stand ("Those Who Stand Together”). Together”).

The government and The government and Hutu Power Hutu Power businessmen businessmen provided the militias provided the militias with over 500,000 with over 500,000 machetes and other machetes and other arms and set up arms and set up camps to train them camps to train them to “protect their to “protect their villages” by villages” by exterminating every exterminating every Tutsi.Tutsi.

Prevention: OrganizationPrevention: Organization Treat genocidal groups as the Treat genocidal groups as the

organized crime groups they are. organized crime groups they are. Make membership in them illegal and Make membership in them illegal and demand that their leaders be arrested.demand that their leaders be arrested.

Deny visas to leaders of hate groups Deny visas to leaders of hate groups and freeze their foreign assets.and freeze their foreign assets.

Impose arms embargoes on hate Impose arms embargoes on hate groups and governments supporting groups and governments supporting ethnic or religious hatred.ethnic or religious hatred.

Create UN commissions to enforce Create UN commissions to enforce such arms embargoes and call on UN such arms embargoes and call on UN members to arrest arms merchants members to arrest arms merchants who violate them.who violate them.

Stage 5: Polarization Stage 5: Polarization Extremists drive the groups apart. Extremists drive the groups apart. Hate groups broadcast and print polarizing Hate groups broadcast and print polarizing

propaganda. propaganda. Laws are passed that forbid intermarriage or social Laws are passed that forbid intermarriage or social

interaction.interaction. Political moderates are silenced, threatened and Political moderates are silenced, threatened and

intimidated, and killed.intimidated, and killed. •Public demonstrations were organized against Jewish merchants.

• Moderate German dissenters were the first to be arrested and sent to concentration camps.

PolarizationPolarization Attacks are Attacks are

staged and staged and blamed on blamed on targeted groups.targeted groups.

In Germany, the Reichstag In Germany, the Reichstag fire was blamed on Jewish fire was blamed on Jewish Communists in 1933.Communists in 1933.

Cultural centers Cultural centers of targeted of targeted groups are groups are attacked. attacked.

On Kristalnacht in 1938, On Kristalnacht in 1938, hundreds of synagogues hundreds of synagogues were burned.were burned.

Prevention: PolarizationPrevention: Polarization Vigorously protest laws or policies Vigorously protest laws or policies

that segregate or marginalize groups, that segregate or marginalize groups, or that deprive whole groups of or that deprive whole groups of citizenship rights.citizenship rights.

Physically protect moderate leaders, Physically protect moderate leaders, by use of armed guards and armored by use of armed guards and armored vehicles.vehicles.

Demand the release of moderate Demand the release of moderate leaders if they are arrested. Demand leaders if they are arrested. Demand and conduct investigations if they are and conduct investigations if they are murdered.murdered.

Oppose coups d’état (gov’t Oppose coups d’état (gov’t overthrow) by extremists.overthrow) by extremists.

Stage 6: PreparationStage 6: Preparation Members of victim Members of victim

groups are forced groups are forced to wear to wear identifying identifying symbolssymbols..

Death listsDeath lists are are made. made.

Victims are Victims are separatedseparated because of their because of their ethnic or religious ethnic or religious identity.identity.

PreparationPreparation SegregationSegregation

into into ghettoesghettoes is is imposed, victims imposed, victims are forced into are forced into concentration concentration camps.camps.

Victims are also Victims are also deported to deported to famine-struck famine-struck regions for regions for starvationstarvation. .

Forced Resettlement into Ghettos – Poland

1939 - 1942

PreparationPreparation

WeaponsWeapons for for killing are stock-killing are stock-piled.piled.

Extermination Extermination campscamps are even are even built. This build- built. This build- up of killing up of killing capacity is a major capacity is a major step towards step towards actual genocide.actual genocide.

Prevention: PreparationPrevention: Preparation With evidence of death lists, arms With evidence of death lists, arms

shipments, militia training, and trial shipments, militia training, and trial massacres, a Genocide Alert should massacres, a Genocide Alert should be declared.be declared.

UN Security Council should warn it UN Security Council should warn it will act (but only if it really will act (but only if it really willwill act.) act.)Diplomats must warn potential Diplomats must warn potential perpetrators.perpetrators.

Humanitarian relief should be Humanitarian relief should be prepared.prepared.

Military intervention forces should be Military intervention forces should be organized, including logistics and organized, including logistics and financing.financing.

Stage 7: Extermination Stage 7: Extermination (Genocide)(Genocide)

Extermination Extermination begins, and begins, and becomes the becomes the mass killing mass killing legally called legally called ""genocidegenocide." ." Most genocide Most genocide is committed is committed by by governments.governments.

Einsatzgrupen: Nazi Killing Squads

Extermination Extermination (Genocide)(Genocide)

Government organized extermination of Tutsis in

Rwanda in 1994

Extermination Extermination (Genocide)(Genocide)

Roma (Gypsies) in a Nazi death camp

•The killing is “extermination” to the killers because they do not believe the victims are fully human. They are “cleansing” the society of impurities, disease, animals, vermin, “cockroaches,” or enemies.

Extermination Extermination (Genocide)(Genocide)

Although most Although most genocide is sponsored genocide is sponsored and financed by the and financed by the state, the armed state, the armed forces often work with forces often work with local militias. local militias.

Rwandan militia killing squads

Nazi killing squad working with local militia

Extermination: Stopping Extermination: Stopping GenocideGenocide

Regional organizations, national Regional organizations, national governments, and the UN Security governments, and the UN Security Council should impose targeted Council should impose targeted sanctions to undermine the economic sanctions to undermine the economic viability of the perpetrator regime.viability of the perpetrator regime.

Sales of oil and imports of gasoline Sales of oil and imports of gasoline should be stopped by blockade of should be stopped by blockade of ports and land routes.ports and land routes.

Perpetrators should be indicted by Perpetrators should be indicted by the International Criminal Court.the International Criminal Court.

Extermination: Stopping Extermination: Stopping GenocideGenocide

The UN Security Council should The UN Security Council should authorize armed intervention by authorize armed intervention by regional military forces or by a UN force regional military forces or by a UN force under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter.under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter. The Mandate must include protection of The Mandate must include protection of

civilians and humanitarian workers and a civilians and humanitarian workers and a No Fly Zone.No Fly Zone.

The Rules of Engagement must be robust The Rules of Engagement must be robust and include aggressive prevention of and include aggressive prevention of killing.killing.

The major military powers must provide The major military powers must provide leadership, logistics, airlift, leadership, logistics, airlift, communications, and financing.communications, and financing.

If the state where the genocide is underway If the state where the genocide is underway will not permit entry, its UN membership will not permit entry, its UN membership should be suspended.should be suspended.

Stage 8: DenialStage 8: Denial Denial is always found in genocide, Denial is always found in genocide,

both during it and after it.both during it and after it. Continuing denial is among the surest Continuing denial is among the surest

indicators of further genocidal indicators of further genocidal massacres.massacres.

Denial extends the crime of genocide Denial extends the crime of genocide to future generations of the victims. It to future generations of the victims. It is a continuation of the intent to is a continuation of the intent to destroy the group. destroy the group.

The tactics of denial are The tactics of denial are predictable.predictable.

Denial: Deny the Denial: Deny the Evidence.Evidence.

Deny that there was any mass Deny that there was any mass killing at all.killing at all.

Question and minimize the Question and minimize the statistics.statistics.

Block access to archives and Block access to archives and witnesses.witnesses.

Intimidate or kill eye-witnesses.Intimidate or kill eye-witnesses.

Denial: Deny the Denial: Deny the EvidenceEvidence Destroy the evidence. (Burn the Destroy the evidence. (Burn the

bodies and the archives, dig up bodies and the archives, dig up and burn the mass graves, throw and burn the mass graves, throw bodies in rivers or seas.)bodies in rivers or seas.)

Holocaust Death-Camp Crematoria

Denial: Attack the truth-Denial: Attack the truth-tellers.tellers.

Attack the motives of the truth-Attack the motives of the truth-tellers. Say they are opposed tellers. Say they are opposed to the religion, ethnicity, or to the religion, ethnicity, or nationality of the deniers nationality of the deniers (“Conspiracy theorists”)(“Conspiracy theorists”)

Point out atrocities committed Point out atrocities committed by people from the truth-by people from the truth-tellers’ group. Imply they are tellers’ group. Imply they are morally disqualified to accuse morally disqualified to accuse the perpetrators.the perpetrators.

Denial: Deny Genocidal Denial: Deny Genocidal Intent.Intent.

Claim that the deaths were Claim that the deaths were inadvertent (due to famine, inadvertent (due to famine, migration, or disease).migration, or disease).

Blame “out of control” forces Blame “out of control” forces for the killings.for the killings.

Blame the deaths on ancient Blame the deaths on ancient ethnic conflicts.ethnic conflicts.

Denial: Blame the Denial: Blame the Victims.Victims.

Emphasize the strangeness of Emphasize the strangeness of the victims. They are not like us. the victims. They are not like us. (savages, infidels)(savages, infidels)

Claim they were disloyal Claim they were disloyal insurgents in a war. insurgents in a war.

Call it a “civil war,” not genocide.Call it a “civil war,” not genocide. Claim that the deniers’ group Claim that the deniers’ group

also suffered huge losses in the also suffered huge losses in the “war.” The killings were in self-“war.” The killings were in self-defense.defense.

Denial: Deny facts fit legal definition Denial: Deny facts fit legal definition genocide.genocide. They’re crimes against humanity, They’re crimes against humanity,

not genocide.not genocide. They’re “ethnic cleansing”, not They’re “ethnic cleansing”, not

genocide.genocide. There’s not enough proof of specific There’s not enough proof of specific

intent to destroy a group, “as intent to destroy a group, “as such.” (“Many survived!”-such.” (“Many survived!”-

UN Commission of Inquiry on UN Commission of Inquiry on Darfur.)Darfur.)

Claim the only “real” genocides are Claim the only “real” genocides are like the Holocaust: “in whole.”like the Holocaust: “in whole.”(Ignore the “in part” in the (Ignore the “in part” in the Genocide Convention.)Genocide Convention.)

Claim declaring genocide would Claim declaring genocide would legally obligate us to intervene. legally obligate us to intervene. (We don’t want to intervene.)(We don’t want to intervene.)

Why has the UN not stopped Why has the UN not stopped genocide ?genocide ?

Genocide succeeds when state Genocide succeeds when state sovereignty blocks international sovereignty blocks international responsibility to protect.responsibility to protect.

The UN represents states, not The UN represents states, not peoples.peoples.

Since founding of UN:Since founding of UN:Over 45 genocides and politicidesOver 45 genocides and politicidesOver 70 million deadOver 70 million dead

Genocide prevention ≠ conflict Genocide prevention ≠ conflict resolutionresolution

Prevention requires:Prevention requires:

1.Early warning

2. Rapid response

3. Courts for accountability

Genocide continues due to:

•Lack of authoritative international institutions to predict it

•Lack of ready rapid response forces to stop it

UNAMIR peacekeeper in Rwanda, April 1994

Genocide continues due to:•Lack of political will to peacefully prevent it and to forcefully intervene to stop it

UN Security Council votes to withdrawUNAMIR troops from Rwanda, April 1994

Prevention: Political WillPrevention: Political Will Build an international mass Build an international mass

movement to movement to end genocide in this end genocide in this centurycentury.. Organize civil society and human Organize civil society and human

rights groups.rights groups. Mobilize religious leaders of churches, Mobilize religious leaders of churches,

mosques, synagogues, and temples.mosques, synagogues, and temples. Put genocide education in curricula of Put genocide education in curricula of

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

Hold political leaders accountable. If Hold political leaders accountable. If they fail to act to stop genocide, vote they fail to act to stop genocide, vote them out of office.them out of office.

Never Again? Or Again Never Again? Or Again and Again?and Again?

How can we use the 8 How can we use the 8 Stages of Genocide to Stages of Genocide to develop more effective develop more effective ways to prevent ways to prevent genocide in the future?genocide in the future?

Even with early Even with early warning, how can we warning, how can we achieve effective early achieve effective early response to prevent response to prevent and stop genocide?and stop genocide?