Which term refers to widespread attacks against civilians, including murder, enslavement, deportation and torture?

Which term refers to widespread attacks against civilians, including murder, enslavement, deportation and torture?

• A. Genocide
• B. Crimes against humanity
• C. Terrorism
• D. War crimes

Answer: (B)

Crimes against humanity describe deliberate, widespread or systematic attacks on civilian populations. The acts listed—murder, enslavement, deportation, torture—are classic examples that appear in the statute when they’re part of a broad pattern or policy directed at civilians. This makes it the best fit for the description. Genocide focuses on destroying a particular protected group (by race, religion, ethnicity, etc.), which is a more specific aim than the general civilian-targeted pattern described here. War crimes are violations of the laws of armed conflict, but crimes against humanity can occur during peacetime or war as part of a broader attack on civilians. Terrorism targets fear to pursue political ends and isn’t the same legal category as crimes against humanity.

Crimes against humanity describe deliberate, widespread or systematic attacks on civilian populations. The acts listed—murder, enslavement, deportation, torture—are classic examples that appear in the statute when they’re part of a broad pattern or policy directed at civilians. This makes it the best fit for the description.

Genocide focuses on destroying a particular protected group (by race, religion, ethnicity, etc.), which is a more specific aim than the general civilian-targeted pattern described here. War crimes are violations of the laws of armed conflict, but crimes against humanity can occur during peacetime or war as part of a broader attack on civilians. Terrorism targets fear to pursue political ends and isn’t the same legal category as crimes against humanity.