Introduction: Non-State Aspects of Genocide

Abstract

The sixth issue of Genocide Studies International takes up the issue of non-state aspects of genocide. The editors originally conceived the topic as non-state actors and genocide, with the term ‘‘non-state actor’’ referring to non-governmental organizations and institutions; official and unofficial political organizations and groups; civic organizations; political and social movements; terrorist organizations; ‘‘deep state’’ networks; paramilitary or armed rebel groups; corporations; criminal organizations; educational, religious, spiritual, cultural, artistic, athletic institutions, organizations, and groups; and any other such entity that is not part of a national, regional, or local government or an international organization created by and comprised of state members, committing or complicit in genocide, bystanders to genocide, victims of genocide, interveners against genocide, or supporters of victims after genocide. GSI received excellent submissions within this range of issues, including a research note that considers the role of NGOs during the Rwanda Genocide and the functioning of the so-called Islamic State as a pseudo-state terrorist organization committing genocide in a war of conquest against various non-state minority groups, including the Yezidis, who have been relegated to the margins of twentieth and twenty-first century politics because of their non-state or low status even among minority groups. But, as we received submissions in response to the call for papers, it became clear to us that the term ‘‘non-state’’ is much more complex and far-reaching than we had previously considered, and refers not only to types of actors but also levels of impact and activity. This is demonstrated by a submission that is one of the first works to look at members of a post-genocide diaspora of perpetrator, rather than victim, group (Germany) and their role in Holocaust denial and identity construction, which is at variance with recognition of the genocide and contemporary notions of German identity in the home state. It then became apparent that even two manuscripts not originally intended for inclusion in this special issue are in fact of great relevance to non-state aspects of genocide. Contrary to the typical focus of victim group political self-advocacy, one of these highlights the means by which memory is transmitted across victim group generations in forms intentionally removed from state intrusion and control. The other sheds light on the complex and intricate process by which genocide has reshaped gender norms in Rwandan society, with both state and non-state forces being integral. With these varied articles in mind, the topic of this special issue evolved into ‘‘non-state aspects of genocide.’’ The first two articles in this issue, Fazil Moradi and Kjell Anderson’s ‘‘The Islamic State’s Êzı̂dı̂ Genocide in Iraq: The ‘Sinja #r Operations’ ’’ and Hannibal Travis’ ‘‘Why