Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, ethnic, national, or religious group. It involves acts such as killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about its physical destruction. Historical examples include the Holocaust and the Rwandan Genocide.
The term 'genocide' was coined in 1944 by Raphaël Lemkin, who sought to describe the atrocities committed during World War II. Genocide is recognized as a crime under international law, and various tribunals have been established to prosecute those responsible for such acts, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice.