What Is Genocide? A breakdown of the international legal definition

CAIRO - 28 May 2025: In light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the escalating violence and starvation inflicted by the Israeli occupation—actions that flagrantly violate international laws, treaties, and conventions— egypt today finds it necessary to clarify the legal definition of genocide and the acts that constitute punishable offenses under international law.

What Is the Genocide Convention?

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was the first human rights treaty established by the UN.

It reflects the international community’s commitment to preventing atrocities like genocide and ensuring accountability.

The Convention offers the first legal definition of genocide and obligates all State Parties to prevent and punish such crimes. It is composed of 19 articles.

Definition of Genocide

As defined in Article II of the Convention, genocide refers to any of the following acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group:

(a) Killing members of the group;

(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;

(c) Deliberately inflicting living conditions intended to cause the group’s physical destruction, in whole or in part;

(d) Imposing measures designed to prevent births within the group;

(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Punishable Acts Under the Genocide Convention

Article III of the Convention outlines the following as punishable offenses:

(a) Genocide;

(b) Conspiracy to commit genocide;

(c) Direct and public incitement to commit genocide;

(d) Attempt to commit genocide;

(e) Complicity in genocide.