Genocide is defined as the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group, with the goal of destroying that nation or group. The Holocaust was not the first genocide, and unfortunately, genocides have occurred in recent history and even continue to occur today. Below are resources that will connect you to organizations that educate about and combat genocide, and resources related to specific genocides.
Illinois Holocaust Museum Resource: Ways To Take ActionAmnesty International
A worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights.
Institute for the Study of Genocide – International Association for Genocide Scholars
An independent non-profit organization working to promote and disseminate scholarship, policy analysis and public awareness on the causes, consequences and prevention of genocide and mass atrocities. Contains definitions of genocide, the United Nations Genocide Convention, book lists, and issues and alerts about genocides.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide
Conducts and supports policy-relevant research to advance the prevention and mitigation of mass atrocities. The website includes genocide alerts, articles on the history of genocide, current news articles, photos, analysis, and student forums.
Yale Center for International and Area Studies: Genocide Studies Program
Conducts research, seminars and conferences on comparative, interdisciplinary, and policy issues relating to genocide, and has provided training to researchers from afflicted regions, including Cambodia, Rwanda, and East Timor. The GSP also maintains research projects on those catastrophes, on the Nazi Holocaust, the genocides in Bosnia and Darfur, and on colonial and indigenous genocides. The Center also covers genocides in Sudan, Bosnia, Armenia, and colonial genocides. Site includes maps, databases, links, and information available in a variety of languages.
Armenian Genocide Resources
Armenian National Institute
Provides photo collections, sample documents, maps, chronology, educational resources and genocide research
Near East Foundation
The Near East Relief Digital Museum commemorates America’s response to the Armenian, Assyrian, and Anatolian Greek genocides by preserving, reconstructing, and sharing the rich history of the relief effort.
Ukrainian Genocide Resources
U.S. Holodomor Committee
The U.S. Holodomor Committee aims to help ensure that the horrors of the past are not repeated, and to promote and spread truth about the Ukrainian Genocide (Holodomor).
Ukrainian Weekly Archive
Ukrainian Genocide Famine archives of specialized issues and eyewitness accounts.
Info Ukes: Ukrainian Genocide Pages
Infoyukes.com provides in-depth description of Holodomor genocide and links to additional articles and supplemental resources.
Ukrainian World Congress
International coordinating body of Ukrainian communities in the diaspora. “Over 20 Million Ukranians. Over 60 Countries. One global voice.”
Cambodian Genocide Resources
Yale University Genocide Studies Program: Cambodian Genocide Program
Includes an overview of the Cambodian Genocide, discussion of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, and links to other related resources. A part of Yale’s International and Area Studies Program.
From Sideshow to Genocide: Stories of the Cambodian Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois
Records stories of survival from Cambodia. Contains lesson plans and recommended readings for students and teachers.
The Digital Archive of Cambodian Holocaust Survivors
Information on Cambodia today, the Killing Fields, Cambodian Genocide Justice Act, and survivor stories.
The Flute Player
The story of Arn Chorn-Pond. A survivor of Cambodia’s killing fields, Arn Chorn—Pond now fights to save Cambodia’s traditional music from extinction.
Documentation Center of Cambodia
Serves as a major source of information about the Cambodian genocide and is the world’s largest repository of printed documents and other original materials relating to the Khmer Rouge regime.
Cambodian Association of Illinois
Enables refugees and immigrants from Cambodia residing in Illinois, especially those in metropolitan Chicago, to become self-sufficient, productive participants in American society while preserving and enhancing their cultural heritage and community.
National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial
The National Cambodian Heritage Museum is a tribute to a rich heritage that dates back more than 4,000 years, and provides a permanent and secure home in Chicago for the culture that was almost lost during the Vietnam War and Cambodia’s own civil unrest.
Bosnian Genocide Resources
Balkans War: A Brief Guide (BBC)
Contains background information on the conflict with particular focus on nationalist tensions.
Bosnian American Genocide Institute & Education Center
The Bosnian American Genocide Institute is dedicated to scientific research pertaining to the genocide that occurred in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992-1995 and to educate others about the holocaust, genocide, and other forms of crimes against humanity.
Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies
Links to sites dealing with genocide in the Balkans.
Srebrenica Memorial Center
Website for the memorial at the site of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Case Study: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Contains background information on the conflict and genocide. Source for eyewitness testimony.
Rwandan Genocide (1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi) Resources
PBS Frontline: Ghosts of Rwanda
Program devoted to the 10th anniversary of the genocide. Features articles, timeline, interviews, video excerpts, and information about the International Criminal Tribunal.
PBS Frontline: The Triumph of Evil
Site for the PBS Frontline special about how the West ignored the warnings about genocide in Rwanda and turned its back on the victims. Interviews with US and UN officials, chronology of US/UN actions, readings, and materials for educators.
World Outside My Shoes
Information on Carl Wilkens, the only American who stayed in Rwanda at the time of the genocide.
The History Place
Recollection of 1994 genocide with description of contemporary politics and war tactics.
Darfur/Sudanese Genocide Resources
ENOUGH!
History of the Darfur genocide and action steps to raise awareness on Darfur, Uganda and the Congo.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Case Study: Sudan
Genocide alerts, history of Darfur genocide, current news articles, photos, analysis, and teacher resources.
Syrian Genocide Resources
Illinois University Library: Syrian Conflict Resources
Aggregate of research material on the Syrian Civil War, including primary sources.
The White Helmets
The White Helmets (also known as the Syria Civil Defense) are humanitarian volunteers who risk their lives to help anyone in need – regardless of their religion or politics.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Case Study: Syria
Basic facts and informational videos on crisis, reports on current affairs in Syria, link to virtual exhibition and research efforts.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Syria Research Project
Commitment to raising awareness of and inspiring a greater response to events in Syria.
The Myanmar/Rohingya Genocide Resources
BBC: What You Need to Know About Rohingya
Contains background information on the Rohingya and the current atrocities.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Case Study: Burma
Summary containing detailed description of Rohingya genocide with link to virtual exhibition.
Rohingya Culture Center
The Rohingya Cultural Center is a community based social service organization aimed at serving the needs of the Rohingya refugee population in Chicago as well as raising awareness of the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar.
Uyghurs Genocide Resources
PBS News Hour: What is Happening with the Uyghurs in China
Photo essay exploring recent history of and international reactions to Uyghur genocide.
Campaign for Uyghurs
Promoting and advocating for human rights and democratic freedoms for the Uyghurs and other Turkic people in East Turkistan.
Uyghur Human Rights Project
UHRP is a human rights research, reporting, and advocacy organization. The organization focuses on promoting human rights and democracy for Uyghurs and others living in East Turkistan.
Photo credits: David Seide