Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2024
Abstract
Scholars from diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds have made recent contributions to debates about colonial genocide, conceptualizing this issue in widely divergent ways. Yet, most research syntheses regarding colonial genocide are over a decade old and therefore exclude influential research such as prominent government reports. This synthesis focuses on two themes: forms of genocide, and accountability mechanisms. Adopting a transnational approach, it incorporates three case studies – Canada, Namibia, and Rwanda – each differing in terms of its temporal relationships with colonial governments, forms of genocide, and accountability mechanisms.
This project compares debates about multiple forms of genocide in the case studies. Regarding Canada, research analyzes direct killings and sexual violence, starvation and displacement, cultural, institutional, and legal violence. Regarding Namibia, research analyzes the use of concentration camps and ‘scorched earth’ tactics plus a longer history of cultural genocide. Regarding Rwanda, research analyzes direct killings and sexual violence. By comparing debates about forms of genocide in each case study – particularly by looking beyond direct killings alone – this project analyzes how diverse scholars have engaged with multiple kinds of violence.
This project also compares debates about different approaches to accountability. For example, the TRC process in Canada and the Justice and Reconciliation process in Rwanda have taken different approaches to courts and trials. In Namibia, the pursuit by Indigenous peoples of the creation of accountability mechanisms remains stalled in discussions involving the German and Namibian governments. Comparing research into these mechanisms offers bases for considering different approaches to accountability.
Recommended Citation
Doyle-Raso, John; Davis, Christophe; Lockyer, Veronica; and Shwan, Didar, "Colonial Genocide in Intercultural and Interdisciplinary Perspective / Génocide colonial dans une perspective interculturelle et interdisciplinaire" (2024). Reports. 1.
https://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/nathanson_reports/1
Included in
Human Rights Law Commons, International Humanitarian Law Commons, Law and Society Commons
Comments
“Colonial genocide in intercultural and interdisciplinary perspective” is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council in partnership with Canadian Heritage. “Génocide colonial dans une perspective interculturelle et interdisciplinaire” est financé par le Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines en partenariat avec Patrimoine canadien.
“Colonial genocide in intercultural and interdisciplinary perspective” is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council in partnership with Genome Canada. “Génocide colonial dans une perspective interculturelle et interdisciplinaire” est financé par le Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines en partenariat avec Génome Canada.