Lemkin's concept of genocide

Lemkin's concept of genocide refers to the deliberate and systematic effort to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. It involves coordinated actions intended to eliminate the group's existence, such as killing members, causing serious harm, or destroying cultural symbols. Lemkin emphasized that genocide is a distinct crime because it targets the group's identity and presence, not just individual acts of violence. His work aimed to recognize and prevent these atrocities by highlighting their organized and destructive nature.