What does structural violence mean in criticisms of the Genocide Convention?

In criticisms of the Genocide Convention, the term "structural violence" refers to the harmful effects of social systems where significant political and economic disparities can result in the marginalization or even the extermination of specific groups.1

Critics argue that the convention’s narrow focus on "intentionality"—the requirement to prove a specific intent to destroy a protected group—is flawed because it ignores these broader systemic forces. They contend that in modern societies, violence often emerges from anonymous social and economic structures rather than solely from individual choices or explicit state policies.1

Conversely, defenders of the intentionality clause maintain that focusing on intent is essential for distinguishing genocide from other forms of mass killing and for developing targeted strategies to prevent it. This debate highlights a fundamental tension in international law regarding how to best identify and address the root causes of group destruction.1