The United Nations Genocide Convention: An Introduction

by Samuel Totten, Henry C. Theriault

It is virtually impossible to understand the phenomenon of genocide without a clear understanding of the complexities of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (UNCG). This brief but cogent book provides an introduction to the unique wording, legal terminology, and key components of the convention, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

Providing clarity on the distinctions between genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing, this book is designed to be an entry into further study of genocide in its legal, historical, political, and philosophical dimensions. Key terms, such as intent and motive, are explained, case studies are included, and a detailed bibliography at the conclusion of the book offers suggested avenues for more advanced study of the UNCG.

155 pages, Hardcover

Published January 6, 2020

About the author

Samuel Totten is a genocide scholar, Professor of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, a Member of the Council of the Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide, Jerusalem.

Samuel Totten earned a master's degree and a doctoral degree at Teachers College, Columbia University.[2]

In 2004, he served as an investigator on the U.S. State Department's Darfur Atrocities Documentation Project.

In 2005 he became one of the chief co-editors of Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal, the official journal of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS).[3]
In 2008 He served as a Fulbright Scholar at the Centre for Conflict Management, National University of Rwanda.

Between 2004 and 2011, he conducted research along the Chad/Darfur, Sudan border into the genocide perpetrated by the Government of Sudan in Darfur. Between 2010 and today he has conducted research into the genocidal actions of the Government of Sudan in the Nuba Mountains in the late 1980s to mid 1990s, and the crimes against humanity being perpetrated today (July 2011-ongoing through at least June 2012)
During the 2009-2010 academic year Totten served as the Ida King Distinguished Visiting Professor of Holocaust and Education at the Richard stockton College of New Jersey.

In 2011, Totten was honored by Teachers College, Columbia University with The Teachers College Distinguished Alumni Award of 2011.

In December 2012-January 2013, Totten traveled throughout the war torn Nuba Mountains as he conducted research into both the genocide by attrition experienced by the people of the Nuba Mountains in the 1990s and the ongoing crisis today (June 2011-present). While there, Government of Sudan Antonov bombers dropped 55 bombs on civilian areas, resulting in deaths and grievous injuries.

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good as it dives into the complexities of the UNGC and how it is interpreted in courts, but both authors made the language accessible. Offers 2 court documents to read through at the end to see how the UNGC has been applied in hearings related to the Rwandan and Bosnian Muslim genocides. However, I wish it discussed the residential schools the Native children in Canada and the U.S. were forced into, some past the date of the ratification of the UNGC, more. Though this could also just be because Canada and the U.S. have not event remotely taken enough responsibility for the genocide of Native peoples.

[Timothy Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book

This book talked lightly about specific genocides around the world while helping to clarify when the convention on genocide can apply to a situation by specifically explaining what legally qualifies as genocide vs. crimes against humanity and war crimes.

[Ava]

Also for class didn’t really put my 100 percent focus on reading it but it was still very interesting!

[Sophia LaPointe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very informative read. For class so it wasn’t the most exciting ever but I appreciated it