Is Resisting Genocide a Human Right?

69 Pages Posted: 17 Oct 2007

See all articles by David B. Kopel

David B. Kopel

University of Wyoming College of Law - Firearms Research Center; Independence Institute; Cato Institute; Denver University - Sturm College of Law

Joanne D. Eisen

Independence Institute

Paul Gallant

Independence Institute

Abstract

Closely examining the Darfur, Sudan, genocide, and making reference to other genocides, this Article argues that the genocide prevention strategies which are currently favored by the United Nations are ineffective. This Article details the failures of targeted sanctions, United Nations peacekeepers, and other antigenocide programs. Then, this Article analyzes the Genocide Convention and other sources of international human rights law. Because the very strong language of the Genocide Convention forbids any form of complicity in genocide, and because the Genocide Convention is jus cogens (meaning that it prevails over any conflicting national or international law), this Article concludes that the Genocide Convention forbids any interference, including interference based on otherwise valid laws, against the procurement of defensive arms by groups which are being victimized by genocide.

Keywords: genocide, Sudan, Darfur, Genocide Convention, self-defense, self-defence

JEL Classification: K14, K33, K42, N47

Suggested Citation

Kopel, David B. and Eisen, Joanne D. and Gallant, Paul, Is Resisting Genocide a Human Right?. Notre Dame Law Review, Vol. 81, No. 4, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1022114

David B. Kopel (Contact Author)

University of Wyoming College of Law - Firearms Research Center ( email )

United States

HOME PAGE: http://firearmsresearchcenter.org/

Independence Institute ( email )

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Denver, CO 80203
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HOME PAGE: http://www.davekopel.org

Cato Institute ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://www.cato.org/people/david-kopel

Denver University - Sturm College of Law ( email )

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Denver, CO 80208
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.davekopel.org

Joanne D. Eisen

Independence Institute ( email )

14142 Denver West Parkway
Golden, CO 80401
United States

Paul Gallant

Independence Institute ( email )

14142 Denver West Parkway
Golden, CO 80401
United States

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