Genocide Law and Accountability: Current Mechanisms, Challenges, and Pathways for Improvement

Abstract

Introduction

Genocide, a grave violation of international law, remains one of the most profound challenges in contemporary global justice. Defined as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, genocide has been recognized under international law since the 1948 Genocide Convention. Despite the development of legal mechanisms for its prosecution, genocide continues to occur, and existing mechanisms face numerous challenges. This paper explores the current legal framework for genocide, the effectiveness of international accountability mechanisms, the obstacles to prosecuting genocide at the international level, and the challenges related to ensuring meaningful victim participation in legal proceedings. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving these mechanisms.