Throughline Prosecuting Genocide
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Oct 30, 2025 Delve into the legal evolution of the term 'genocide' from its origins in World War II to its first applications in the Bosnian War. Explore how investigative journalism unveiled horrific ethnic cleansing. Learn about the complexities of the International Criminal Tribunal and the challenges it faced in prosecuting war crimes. Discover the significance of the Srebrenica tragedy and how it shaped international law. The podcast also discusses ongoing implications for contemporary cases, making it a powerful reflection on justice and accountability.
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Genocide As A Legal Concept
- Raphael Lemkin invented and campaigned to codify "genocide" as a new legal crime after WWII.
- The Genocide Convention defined genocide and made intent the crucial element to prove legally.
Reporter Who Said 'I Am The Witness'
- Reporter Roy Gutman documented concentration camps and photographed detainees, catalyzing global attention.
- His reporting and book A Witness to Genocide pushed governments and publics to confront mass abuses in Bosnia.
Srebrenica's Safe Zone Failure
- Srebrenica was a UN-declared safe zone that collapsed under Bosnian Serb assault in July 1995.
- Thousands of men and boys were separated, executed, and buried in mass graves in a coordinated operation.
