Challenges for international political institutions in the face of genocide in the 21st century

Abstract

The article examines the challenges faced by international political institutions in the prevention, intervention, and punishment of genocide in the 21st century. Despite their mission to maintain peace and protect human rights, the effectiveness of organizations like the United Nations is compromised by a lack of consensus among States, geopolitical interests, and resource limitations. The study employed a thorough documentary analysis, reviewing relevant reports and resolutions, as well as a detailed analysis of recent cases in Rwanda, Darfur, and Myanmar, revealing inconsistent international responses conditioned by political factors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with human rights experts, who identified barriers that limit international action, and an online survey was distributed to various participants to gauge perceptions of the effectiveness of institutions. The comparative analysis covered five critical contexts, highlighting patterns in the international response that demonstrate a disconnection between norms and their effective implementation. Considering the findings, it is suggested that to improve the capacity to respond to genocide, it is essential to strengthen political will and international cooperation, as well as to ensure a more equitable approach to addressing all humanitarian crises.

Keywords: Genocide, Human Rights, Challenges, Geopolitical Interests.