Human Rights – the Issue of Genocide

This decision was however reversed in 2010, with the ruling that a too severe standard of proof had been applied to the genocide charge. In July 2010 a second arrest warrant for al-Bashir was issued, charging him again with three counts of genocide. In the case of some acts of genocide, specific ad hoc tribunals will be set up by the UN for the prosecution of individuals from certain events, such as the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which was formed so as to effectively punish those who committed genocide in Rwanda during 1994. Although these responses have provided better methods for more effective prevention and punishment of genocide, there are several criticisms of the way these systems operate, including the fact that the provisions of the CPPCG only allow for it to punish those who have already committed genocide. This criticism did however lead to the 2006 introduction of UN Security Council Resolution 1674, which ???reaffirms the responsibility to protect populations from genocide and crimes against humanity???. The resolution, which is legally binding, consigns the Security Council to take action against genocide and protect civilians. As genocide is one of the most extreme human rights issues in the world, it naturally gains a great amount of international public attention.

Numerous non-profit organisations and campaigns have been established in efforts to help prevent genocide. Some of these non-legal responses include The Genocide Intervention Network which, established in 2005, is a non-profit organisation that aims to ???empower individuals and communities with the tools to prevent and stop genocide.??? Another non-legal response to the issue of genocide is Genocide Watch, an international organisation founded by Gregory Stanton which attempts to predict, prevent, limit, eliminate, and punish genocide across the world through reporting and public awareness campaigns. Genocide Watch also acts as Coordinator of the International Campaign to End Genocide, an ???international coalition dedicated to creating the international institutions and the political will to end genocide forever???. As of 2010, Genocide Watch has been working on using their resources and knowledge of genocide to recommend specific actions to prevent genocide in high risk areas and offering their support to national justice systems, special ad hoc tribunals and the International Criminal Court. These organisations work to get their message across by holding various events such as conferences and concerts to promote human rights, workshops and various reviews of international legal agencies. Another, more recent response to genocide is the 2010 establishment of Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month in California.