Overview
Learn more about genocide and how to prevent it
The Genocide Intervention Network's "Areas of Concern" map highlights ongoing conflicts around the world where mass atrocities are committed against non-combatant civilians on a large scale. To learn more about a specific conflict, follow the "more info" link.
Atrocities targeting civilians are occurring in areas other than those highlighted on this map. GI-Net is diligently monitoring at least a dozen other conflicts. The process used by the Genocide Intervention Network to include a conflict in its Areas of Concern involves the fulfillment of two distinct criteria. These are:
- Type of Violence. The type of violence we are most concerned with is roughly genocidal violence; i.e. the large-scale intentional targeting of civilians as victims of murder, rape or torture. We also aim to determine whether violence in chronic and likely to continue without intervention.
- Magnitude of Violence. When examining the magnitude of violence, we assess the overall scale of the violence as well as the rate at which violence occurs.
Read more about the methodology used in listing areas of concern, or download a one-page flyer detailing the process. For inquiries regarding the information presented in this map or about other conflicts, please contact us.
Read the latest news about genocide and genocide prevention around the world in our bi-weekly issues of the Genocide Monitor!
Why is Education on Genocide Important?
To prevent genocide from continuing to occur in the twenty-first century, we have a responsibility to protect civilians who are being victimized by countries unwilling or unable to halt ongoing atrocities.
Samantha Power, in 'A Problem from Hell': America and the Age of Genocide, highlights five examples of genocide in the past:
- Armenia: More than 1,000,000 deaths (1915–1917)
- The Holocaust: 6,000,000 deaths of Jews; 5,000,000 deaths of Poles, Roma, communists and other "undesirables" (1938–1945)
- Cambodia: 2,000,000 deaths (1975–1978)
- Bosnia: 200,000 deaths (1992–1995)
- Rwanda: 800,000 deaths (April 6 through mid-July of 1994)
- Darfur: Hundreds of thousands of deaths (2003 through today)
Learn more about what genocide is and how it has occurred in the past.
More educational resources on genocide in general and the situation in Darfur in particular.
As global citizens, it is imperative to recognize and understand that genocide continues to occur in the twenty-first century. To fully understand what this means, it is important to become educated on the frightening scope of genocide and its implications. One can not just simply learn that millions of Jews were killed during World War II. Rather, we need to know that during the Holocaust, specific minority groups were intentionally targeted to be destroyed due to ethnic hatred.
"By studying these tragic lessons from history, we can help our children understand the importance of freedom ... When they recognize that crimes of genocide continue in some corners of the world, even in the twenty-first century, it will raise their awareness and help them understand what can happen when you judge people by their race, their homeland or their beliefs."
—Illinois State Sen. Jacqueline Collins