Open AccessActs of genocide and international law
Author(s) -
Stefan Kirchner,
Doly P. Orozco López
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
misión jurídica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2661-9067
pISSN - 1794-600X
DOI - 10.25058/1794600x.1906
Subject(s) - genocide , law , political science , international law , obligation , customary international law , treaty , criminology , public international law , sociology
In addition to the loss of over 200,000 lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, racist violence, riots, wildfires, storms and political controversies in an election year, the United States of America might now also see acts of genocide. If recent reports are confirmed, multiple acts of genocide have been committed against migrants from Central America, targeting in particular women and children. This text outlines the elements which define the crime of genocide under international law and explains the special, jus cogens, status the prohibition of genocide has under both international treaty law and customary international law. It includes a call for further investigations, pursuant to the obligation of all States to combat genocide.