Statements

Statement on Bangladesh Genocide of 1971

December 31, 2021

The Lemkin Institute recognizes the genocide against Bengalis committed by the West Pakistan army and local militias in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) in 1971. We call on governments and NGOs to join us in recognizing the genocide and in supporting Bangladesh in its efforts towards justice.

Statement on LGBTQ+ Persecution in Afghanistan

December 25, 2021

The Lemkin Institute calls on the international community to recognize the genocidal nature of Taliban threats against the LGBTQ+ community in Afghanistan and calls on LGBTQ+ safe countries to fast-track asylum claims from Afghanistan.

Statement on the Crisis at the Belarusian Border with Poland

November 12, 2021

The Lemkin Institute condemns the EU response to the ongoing suffering faced by refugees seeking safe haven in Europe and reminds state leaders that refugees can only be “weaponized” – a term being used by government officials and Western media outlets alike – if the receiving countries view the refugees as dangerous, unwanted, and subhuman.

Statement on Recent Attacks on Women's Rights in the USA

September 7, 2021

The Lemkin Institute identified Texas law SB-8 as a form of reproductive violence, an important early indicator of genocidal ideology, policy, and practice.

Statement on Ongoing Chaos in Afghanistan

September 1, 2021

The Lemkin Institute warns of indicators of genocide present on the ground in Afghanistan and calls on the Taliban to put the rights of women and minorities at the center of their stabilization agenda.

Statement on US Withdrawal from Afghanistan and Taliban Takeover of Kabul

August 15, 2021

The Lemkin Institute reminds international actors of their responsibility to protect civilians and the Taliban of its obligations under international law, particularly under the Genocide Convention and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Statement on the Continued Inhumane and Illegal Detention of Armenian POWs

July 17, 2021

The Lemkin Institute strongly condemns the government of Azerbaijan for not fulfilling its obligations under the 1949 Geneva Conventions regarding the treatment of Armenian prisoners-of-war.

Statement on Mass Graves of Indigenous Children Found in Canada

July 1, 2021

The Lemkin Institute believes mass graves are further evidence of the crime of genocide committed in Canada against the indigenous populations and takes issue with the term 'cultural genocide' that has been used by the Canadian government up to this point with reference to the boarding schools.

Statement on Israeli Violence in Jerusalem

May 8, 2021

The Lemkin Institute believes the violence in East Jerusalem is genocidal.

Statement on Tatmadaw Violence in Myanmar

April 6, 2021

The Lemkin Institute identifies the Myanmar military as a genocidal institution and calls on regional and global power s to pressure Myanmar to return to civilian rule and dismantle the Tatmadaw as a genocidal institution.

Statement on Turkish Withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention

April 1, 2021

The Lemkin Institute condemns Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention on the rights of women and reminds Turkey that the intentional rejection of women's human rights paves the way for society-wide radicalization.