genocide

[Victor Steinbok]

Ironically, of the three "major crimes" recognized under international
law, Kadhafi's (no matter how you spell the name) actions fall neither
under genocide nor under war crimes, although they may well fit under
the remaining catch-all of "crimes against humanity". I would not take a
rhetorical statement by a diplomat or other national representative
(e.g., head of government) as something that is representative of
general usage. The rhetoric is often intentionally inflated and does not
reflect the kind of precise usage that goes into the writing of laws,
resolutions and treaties. I can't say that it demonstrates lack of
understanding because it is offered by a UN ambassador, so I see the
distortion as a deliberate rhetorical device. Just recall all the debate
over Darfur and whether or not what was going on there was genocide--a
claim of genocide carries specific legal responsibilities for the UN and
member nations and this is something that a lot of people wanted to
avoid, trying to leave more room for flexibility. Here, we have a case
of a deliberate exaggeration in order to attract attention. In other
words, it is not an example of divergent use if it's a deliberate
distortion. Now, if it becomes a common inadvertent misinterpretation...

     VS-)

On 2/21/2011 7:36 PM, Jonathan Lighter wrote:
> Meaning "the unwarranted governmental killing of numbers of people" :
>
> 2011
> http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/libya-envoy-accuses-gaddafi-of-genocide/articleshow/7543550.cms
> :
> UNITED NATIONS: Libya's deputy ambassador to the United Nations called
> Monday for Moamer Kadhafi to stand down, accusing him of "genocide" and
> saying he should stand trial for war crimes...."Certainly the best scenario
> is to have him before the court, to prosecute him and to know from him
> everything about the crimes he committed before, whether it is the genocide
> of the prison of Abu Salim or the genocide he is committing now or the
> disappearance of certain important personalities... and all the other crimes
> he has committed during the 42 years in power."
>
> JL

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