Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention

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The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention (LIGP), or Lemkin Institute, is a multinational non-governmental organization based in the United States. Its mission is to "[connect] the global grassroots with the tools of genocide prevention."[1]

Background[edit]

In 2017, Elisa von Joeden-Forgey, PhD, and Irene Victoria Massimino, LL.M., founded The Iraq Project for Genocide Prevention and Accountability to address grassroots desire for ending cycles of violence and promoting lasting peace in Iraq following the ISIS genocide of the Yazidi. They wrote:

"We noticed during several trips to northern Iraq in 2016 and 2017 that very little of the work that goes on at high levels of governments, in international organizations, and among large civil society groups ever reaches people facing genocide and mass atrocity, although they are the people for whom all this work is supposed to be done."[2]

Soon the glaring gap in global prevention protocols necessitated an expansion of the group's mission. In 2021, it evolved into the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, taking Raphael Lemkin as its namesake, and expanded its focus worldwide.

Philosophy[edit]

The Lemkin Institute identifies genocide as a process can be categorized into 10 patterns, rather than a single event. This framework makes its definition broader than the one found the 1948 Genocide Convention.[3] Additionally, they use an 8 step approach for the early identification of genocide and practice 11 principles for genocide prevention.[4] Central to all of these are the ideas that genocide can happen to groups everywhere and it is everyone's responsibility to work to resist it.[5]

Work[edit]

Currently, the Lemkin Institute works to advance its ideas of genocide prevention through its publication of Red Flag Warnings for Genocide, Active Genocide Alerts, and Statements, as well as communications with governments and international organizations, as well as through trainings.

Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh[edit]

Azerbaijani Checkpoint at the Lachin Corridor, as viewed from Kornidzor, Republic of Armenia

In 2021, the Lemkin Institute began warning of the potential for genocidal violence against Armenians, particularly those in Artsakh, from Azerbaijan. After BBC's HARDtalk, Stephen Sackur suggested in an interview with Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan that Artsakh should be ceded to Azerbaijan, the Institute issued a statement criticizing the anchor.[6] They published repeatedly about the genocidal processes unfolding in Artsakh as Azeri forces blockaded the Lachin Corridor, which the co-founders witnessed first hand during a visit to the region on May 7, 2023.[7][8]

In September, 2023 they issued an SOS Alert following Azerbaijan's initiation of its significant military assault on Nagorno-Karabakh saying Armenians there are "currently being attacked by the genocidal regime of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev” and that various legal experts agreed Azeri actions constituted genocide.[9]

Additionally, it issued an Active Genocide alert and 9 Red Flag alerts on Azerbaijan, warning “the risk of genocide” of Armenians in Artsakh, calling for Azerbaijan’s accountability for their crimes against humanity.[10][11]

Notably, it published a 126-page report on the risk of genocide by Azerbaijan in Artsakh, using the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes.[12][13] This report also issued a warning regarding the subsequent occurrences such as the forced displacement of Armenians from Artsakh.[14] This also demanded airlift humanitarian aid for the citizens of Artsakh, the immediate cessation of the blockade of the Lachin corridor and the active intervention to protect Artsakh.[15]

Transphobia[edit]

The Lemkin Institute has categorized threats to the LBGTQIA+ community as in line with genocidal patterns.[16] Their work on transphobia was cited in testimony in front of the North Dakota legislature by an advocate against the proposed ban on transgender participation in sports.[17]

Bangladesh[edit]

In 2022, the Lemkin Institute a plea advocating for the acknowledgment of the Bangladesh Genocide. Emphasizing solidarity with the victims, the document highlighted the significance of recognizing genocide as a crucial step in preventing such atrocities. It stressed the importance of acknowledging the victims, their suffering, and promoting accountability and justice.[18] The Lemkin Institute called on the US Congress to officially acknowledge the 1971 Bangladesh genocide and ensure that those responsible for the atrocities are held accountable.[19]

Israel/Palestine 2023[edit]

The Lemkin Institute is actively publishing about the Israel/Hamas War, labelling Israel's activities in the Gaza Strip "genocide".[20][21] Their work has also focused on holding the United States and others accountable for complicity.[22]

Criticism[edit]

The Lemkin Institute has faced criticism for its stances. In November 2023, a piece in Azernews decried its work as "anti-Azerbaijiani propaganda".[23] An op-ed from January 2024 in the Times of Israel decried the organization's use of Raphael Lemkin's name while accusing Israel of genocide.[24]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "About Us". Lemkin Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  2. ^ "About the Lemkin Institute | Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention". Lemkin Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  3. ^ "10 Patterns of Genocide". Lemkin Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  4. ^ "How We ID Genocide". Lemkin Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  5. ^ "11 Principles Of Genprev | Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention". Lemkin Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  6. ^ "Lemkin Institute 'shocked' by Stephen Sackur's 'genocidal proposal' on BBC". news.am. 2023-01-27. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  7. ^ "No "peace" and "prosperity" through genocide: Lemkin Institute supports Artsakh people's right to self-determination". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  8. ^ "Signs of Imminent Genocide: Lemkin Institute's Visit to the Lachin Corridor". Aravot. 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  9. ^ "Azerbaijan committing genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh, warns Lemkin Institute and calls on world leaders to act". Aravot. 2023-09-20. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  10. ^ Kristof, Nicholas (2023-09-02). "Another Ethnic Cleansing Could Be Underway — and We're Not Paying Attention". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  11. ^ "The Armenia and Azerbaijan Conflict is a Test of International Norms: The United States is Failing". thestrategybridge.org. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  12. ^ "Report: Risk Factors and Indicators of the Crime of Genocide in the Republic of Artsakh: Applying the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes to the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict". Lemkin Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  13. ^ "Lemkin Institute on situation in Karabakh: It is genocide, the world must act boldly and swiftly". news.am. 2024-01-23. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  14. ^ Deutsch, Anthony; van den Berg, Stephanie (2023-09-29). "Nagorno-Karabakh exodus amounts to a war crime, legal experts say". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  15. ^ amartikian (2023-09-06). ""Azerbaijan threatens the civilian population of NK and Armenia" – Lemkin Institute". English Jamnews. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  16. ^ "Transphobia Project". Lemkin Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  17. ^ "Testimony" (PDF). North Dakota Legislative Branch. 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  18. ^ "Brussels hears call for international recognition of Bangladesh Genocide". 2023-03-26. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  19. ^ Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) (2022-03-22). "Lemkin Institute and Bangladeshi diaspora call for formal recognition of 1971 Bangladesh genocide and urge condemnation of Pakistan Army". PR Newswire. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  20. ^ "Timelines". Lemkin Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  21. ^ "ICJ updates: Israel's response to South Africa's genocide case". Al Jazeera. 2024-01-12. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  22. ^ "lemkin-institute-statements". Lemkin Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  23. ^ "Armenia's propaganda is catalyst for disrupting interstate relations". Azernews.Az. 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  24. ^ Schvindlerman, Julian (2024-01-17). "The Lemkin Institute Betrays its Name". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2024-01-23.

External links[edit]

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