Acts of Genocide and International Law

Autores: Stefan Kirchner, Doly P. Orozco Lopez

DOI: https://doi.org/10.25058/1794600X.1906

In addition to the loss of over 200,000 lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, racist violence, riots, wildfires, storms and political controversies in an election year, the United States of America might now also see acts of genocide. If recent reports are confirmed, multiple acts of genocide have been committed against migrants from Central America, targeting in particular women and children. This text outlines the elements which define the crime of genocide under international law and explains the special, jus cogens, status the prohibition of genocide has under both international treaty law and customary international law. It includes a call for further investigations, pursuant to the obligation of all States to combat genocide.

Además de la pérdida de más de 200.000 vidas debido a la pandemia por el COVID-19, violencia racista, protestas, incendios forestales, tormentas y controversias políticas en un año de elecciones, Estados Unidos de América podría ahora ver también actos de genocidio. Si se confirman informes recientes, múltiples actos de genocidio contra migrantes de América Central han sido cometidos, atacando especialmente a mujeres y niños. Este texto presenta los elementos que definen el crimen de genocidio bajo el derecho internacional y explica el especial estatus de ius cogens que la prohibición del genocidio tiene tanto bajo los tratados de derecho internacional como del derecho internacional consuetudinario. Asimismo, este texto incluye un llamado a realizar más investigaciones de acuerdo con la obligación de todos los Estados de combatir el genocidio.

Além da perda de mais de 200.000 vidas devido à pandemia COVID-19, violência racista, protestos, incêndios florestais, tempestades e controvérsias políticas em um ano eleitoral, os Estados Unidos da América agora também podem testemunhar atos de genocídio. Se os relatórios recentes forem confirmados, vários atos de genocídio contra migrantes da América Central foram cometidos, especialmente contra mulheres e crianças. Este texto apresenta os elementos que definem o crime de genocídio sob o direito internacional e explica o status especial de jus cogens que a proibição do genocídio tem sob os tratados de direito internacional e o direito internacional consuetudinário. Da mesma forma, este texto inclui um apelo à realização de mais investigações em conformidade com a obrigação de todos os Estados de combater o genocídio.

Keywords: Genocide, United States of America, human rights, migration, Latin America.

Palabras claves: Genocidio, Estados Unidos de América, derechos humanos, migración, América Latina.

Palavras-chave:Genocidio, Estados Unidos da América, direitos humanos, migração, América Latina.

Para citar este artículo:

Kirchner, E. y Orozco Lopez, D. (2021). Acts of Genocide and International Law. Revista Misión Jurídica, 14(20), 44 – 54.


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