What is genocide

What is genocide?

Genocide is committing acts such as killing, rape or other types of serious physical or mental harm committed with the intention of partially or completely destroying a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.

The crime of genocide does not require a plan or policy, though the existence of either may be evidence of the intent to destroy the group. There is no minimum number of victims, but the part of the group targeted must be significant enough that its destruction would impact the group as a whole.

For more detailed information, see the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Court’s Elements of Crimes.