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Which groups are protected by the legal definition of genocide?
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International criminal law
Learn about the International Criminal Court.
Under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the legal definition of genocide protects four specific types of groups. To be classified as genocide, the prohibited acts must be committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a:
- National group
- Ethnical group
- Racial group
- Religious group1
It is important to note that this definition has been a subject of significant academic and legal debate. Critics frequently point out that the convention excludes political and social groups from this list of protected categories. While the convention remains a cornerstone of international law, these exclusions continue to be a point of contention regarding the scope of protection afforded to vulnerable populations under international criminal law.2