The deliberate and systematic destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group through killing, harm, or prevention of births. This crime involves intent to destroy a group 'as such,' making it distinct from other forms of mass violence.
Coined in 1944 by Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin, combining Greek 'genos' (race, tribe) with Latin 'caedere' (to kill). Lemkin created this term specifically to describe Nazi crimes and advocate for international legal frameworks to prevent such atrocities.
Try Another Word