1 Genocide and Terrorism: The Problem Defining AtrocitiesChelsea Deschene

2 Problems Defining what “Genocide” and “Terrorism” is, and should be defined as. Understanding non-state actors role in genocidal activities, and how to determine if they are stoppable. Understanding that genocidal terrorism , may be tarnishing the idea of genocidal studies.

3 Definitions Genocide “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, national, ethnical, racial or religious groups…” (UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide) Terrorism “it’s the selective murder, even mass murder… but not primarily with the aim of eradicating the group, but intimidating it… the main purpose of terrorism is intimidation in order to influence the politics of a nation and/or a state” (Zimmerer, 2006)

4 Problems with the definitionsQuestions arise in the difference between genocide and terrorism numerically, how many people need to die in order for it to be considered an act of genocide? Who needs to commit the act for it to be considered either?

5 Examples of Genocidal TerrorismAlmog v. Arab Bank (Jordan) charges the Arab Bank with complicity in genocidal terrorism. It is alleged to have knowingly served as the paymaster to families of Hamas directed suicide bombers. By forwarding money to families of suicide bombers it was encouraging such bombing. Presbyterian Church of Sudan v. Talisman Energy, Inc. (Sudan) Talisman was accused of transferring to the Sudanese government revenues obtained from oil rigs established through the displacement and ‘ethnic cleansing’ of the Southern Sudanese population. (Gerson, 2005)

6 Islamic State Non-state actor, but holds control over a physical areaSpecific attacks against Shia, Yazidi, and Western powers drawn into the area The Genocide Convention actually protects insurgent groups (Islamic State) due to the vulnerability they have against the larger power that comes from the state. Question arises: Should they be considered a state? (Whiteside,2016)

7 Genocidal Terrorism’s implicationsGenocide studiers believe that the term degrades the importance of studying genocide and preventing it from happening in the future. “it will serve as just another example for the perception that genocide studies is not much more than a potpourri of mankind’s most hideous crimes, its scholars fueled by a rather naive “do-good” feeling, stemming from engaging with global injustice of the most horrific kind” (Zimmerer, 2006).

8 Recommendations International recognition that insurgent non-state actors have the ability to commit both these atrocities. Determining numerical values in the definitions will make it easier to define. Hold terrorist organizations/non-state actors accountable for their destruction.

9 References Zimmerer, J. (2006, December). From the Editors: genocidal terrorism? A plea for conceptual clarity. Journal of Genocide Research. pp   Gerson, A. (2005). Terrorism and Genocide: Determining Accountability and Liability. Thomas Jefferson Law Review, 28(1), Whiteside, C. (2015). A Case for Terrorism as Genocide in an Era of Weakened States. Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict, 8(3), Retrieved March 23, 2016, from