ABSTRACT
Ironic though it is, the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide has been an impediment—and in more ways than one—to the prevention and intervention of genocide. Various individuals have suggested the need for the use of alternative concepts in lieu of and/or in addition to that of "genocide". Some of the more notable suggestions along this line are: politicide, crimes against humanity, atrocity crimes, precursors of genocide, and extremely violent societies. In 2008, the Crimes against Humanity Initiative was established by a group of international law specialists to "study the need for and to ultimately elaborate a comprehensive international convention on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity". Providing an opportunity for more actors to report such situations would not obligate the United Nations to carry out an intervention, as that would ultimately be decided upon by the UN Security Council.
