D. Shelton – Encyclopedia Of Genocide And Crimes Against Humanity (3 Volumes)

Автор: D. Shelton
Название книги: Encyclopedia Of Genocide And Crimes Against Humanity (3 Volumes)
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Политология и Социология
Страницы: 512+530+377
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

Genocide: the systematic annihilation of a group of people for simply being who they are, whether in ethnic, religious or social terms. It has been with us since the beginning of history. The most widely-studied and catastrophic examples are, however, historically close: the Nazi Holocaust against the Jew, ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, and tribal warfare in Rwanda. Genocide is unfortunately a key feature of the study of world history at nearly every level. The Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes against Humanity spans the globe to explain the issues behind crimes against humanity and human rights issues as they relate to individual countries and the world at large. It traces the history of events that qualify as genocide and crimes against humanity, profiles perpetrators and heroes, and explains international laws and law proceedings aimed at ending genocide and crimes against humanity at specific groups or at least punishing those who have committed such crimes

The Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity tackles a difficult and often
horrific subject. It looks at the worst, but also the best, of human behavior. The set is
designed to offer the reader information about the barbarous acts that humans have
perpetrated against each other throughout history, but also at the many and sometimes
heroic efforts that have been made to understand, prevent, combat, and respond to such
acts through law, politics, education, the arts, and sciences. The Encyclopedia is intended
for general readers with a high school or college level education, although many professionals
working in humanitarian and human rights organizations will find much
here of use and interest to them.
World War II’s Holocaust brought a new language into the world, including the
word genocide. In response to the horrors of that event and other crimes committed in
Europe and Asia, the international community conducted trials to prosecute and punish
crimes against peace, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. These terms garnered
better understanding as a result, although war crimes trials had precedents from
earlier conflicts. After the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials, the first half of the twentieth
century ended with states adopting an international treaty, the Convention for the
Prosecution and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which outlawed efforts to
destroy a people. Subsequent agreements have further identified and defined war crimes
and crimes against humanity.
Genocide and crimes against humanity are not merely historical phenomena. It is
estimated that more than 250 armed conflicts have occurred since World War II, with
casualties numbering upwards of 170 million people. Some of these conflicts have been
genocidal or involved war crimes and crimes against humanity, such as so-called ethnic
cleansing and the use of rape as an instrument of war. Indeed, nearly all uses of armed
force have involved issues discussed in the Encyclopedia. Massive human rights abuses
committed by repressive regimes, such as kidnapping and disappearance of political
opponents, massacres of minorities and systematic torture also fall within the rubric of
crimes against humanity and, sadly, exist in contemporary society.
Efforts to prevent and respond to genocide and crimes against humanity are evident
in the development of international criminal courts, peacekeeping, and humanitarian
intervention by the United Nations, and the many educational programs and cinematic
representations intended to raise public awareness of the problem. In addition, those countries throughout the world that are recovering from internal conflict or
repression face the tasks of understanding the past, making appropriate redress to survivors
or victims of abuse, and ensuring the accountability of those responsible for the
commission of violent acts.
The topic is thus of vital importance and requires the involvement of a wide array
of intellectual disciplines, professions, and skills. Historians, archaeologists, and
anthropologists explain its global and temporal dimensions, identifying the past events
that often led to current conflicts. Psychologists, philosophers, and theologians attempt
to grapple with the reasons why human beings commit atrocities and seek to understand
the responsive behavior of others, from collaboration through silence to active
opposition. Lawyers and political scientists seek to construct institutions and legal
structures that can impact human behavior, deterring genocide and crimes against
humanity by designing effective and appropriate laws and punishment. Those in the
arts educate and raise public awareness through film, music, painting, and writing. All
of these disciplines appear in the Encyclopedia.
There are more than 350 entries in the Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes Against
Humanity, arranged in alphabetical order for easy reference. In addition, an outline of
contents at the beginning of volume one groups the entries thematically. The entries
range in length from five hundred to five thousand words and concern historical and
contemporary examples of genocide and crimes against humanity, individuals, groups,
international institutions and law, theories and philosophy, prevention, prosecution,
and cultural representations.
The set covers the ancient world to the present day and looks at all regions of the
world. The editorial board affirmatively decided to include any event that has been publicly
and reasonably debated as falling within the subject matter broadly viewed.
Groups that have been the target of genocide or crimes against humanity are separately
discussed, as are the known perpetrators. The various forms of reparation and redress
available to victims and survivors are included, as are the courts and tribunals where
the accused may be tried for their alleged offenses. Some entries describe the means
used to incite public opinion toward hatred and genocidal acts, such as through advertising,
radio broadcasts, and film. Short entries provide biographical information about
key historical and contemporary figures, from Genghis Kahn to Simon Wiesenthal,
while others describe important places such as Auschwitz and Srebrenica. Discussions
of national and international policies during periods of genocide and crimes against
humanity aim to provide readers with a wider perspective on the events reported.
The entries were written by experts, authorities in their respective fields. Like the
topics they address, the authors come from countries throughout the world. As much as
possible, the authors have used language that should be easily accessible to the public at
large. The authors and editors have also attempted to be responsive to the sensitive
nature of the topic, avoiding terms that may be offensive and noting where respected
opinion is divided on the events or persons they describe. The result is a set of entries
reflecting solid scholarship. A glossary of terms with which the reader might be unfamiliar
appears at the end of the third volume, and each entry contains a bibliography to
guide readers to further sources of information. Cross-references at the end of each entry
refer to related topics.
The Encyclopedia contains historical images and contemporary photographs
to illustrate the entries. Particularly for this topic, it is often difficult to visualize the
reality of the events described. The editors have chosen the images carefully, not to
shock but to provide further information and representation of the events and persons
included.
At the end of the set, further material is included to assist the reader. In addition
to the glossary, the concluding matter includes a filmography, primary source documents, and a comprehensive subject index. The primary documents may be of particular
interest to those undertaking research in this field. The documents consist of key
legal instruments, such as the Convention for the Prosecution and Punishment of the
Crime of Genocide and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, as well
as several important judicial decisions.
The editorial board and contributors have all benefited from the editorial assistance
given by individuals at Macmillan Reference USA, in particular Hélène Potter, Justine
Ciovacco, and Shawn Corridor. Their dedication to the project and infinite capacity for
work inspired everyone. We express our thanks to them and to the others who contributed
by suggesting authors, entries, and materials for the set.
Dinah L. Shelton