Five things you can do to help prevent genocide

1. Stay informed Try to keep up to date with the news in your country and around the world. Look out for any of the warning signs of genocide or human rights abuses. On social media, follow accounts that warn about possible genocides or human rights abuses, such as Amnesty International, or Human Rights Watch. Share what you have learnt with those around you or on social media. The more we understand about current affairs, the more likely we are to spot the warning signs for genocide. 2. Stand up against hatred Hatred towards certain groups always builds up before a genocide. Throughout the media, the Internet, or even when talking to people you know, you will sometimes notice hateful messages being spread. Stand up against this hatred whenever you can. Remind people that we are all human, that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, and that we should promote understanding and peace instead of hatred and violence.

3. Don’t fall for polarisation Before a genocide happens, you will often see perpetrators try and convince people that the victims are their enemies, in order to polarise a society. You can resist this narrative. Never assume something about a person just because they have a certain colour of skin, or have a certain religion, or speak a certain language. Treat everyone around you with respect, and be open-minded and tolerant towards everyone. Try and build bridges across society - meet with people from different communities or backgrounds and learn more about them. The more that different groups of people live together in harmony, the less likely it is that genocide will take place.

4. Use your voice Everybody has a voice that can lead to meaningful change. Use your voice to stand up to genocide. If you learn about genocide or a policy that might lead to genocide, raise awareness about it. Post about it on social media, sign petitions, attend protest marches, or write to your local politicians, the government, or ambassadors of a country. If you can vote, vote for politicians that will ensure everyone’s human rights are respected.

5. Be mindful with your money Some companies profit from genocides. During the Holocaust, many Nazi-backed businesses such as car manufacturers used prisoners (mostly Soviets or Jews) as slaves. They profited from the forced labour of victims of a genocide. Today, there are reports that many clothes companies (such as Nike and Uniqlo) are using forced labourers to harvest cotton in Xinjiang, where the Chinese Government is accused of committing a genocide against the Uighur people. Be aware of where your money goes when you purchase new items. You can also use your money to help potential victims of genocides - donate to charities that are trying to prevent genocides. Conclusion The most important message is that each and every one of us has the power to stop genocides. By using our voices and electing politicians who feel the same way, we can ensure that perpetrators of genocides do not have the resources or environments to divide societies and carry out their crimes. By promoting love and building bridges between communities, we can combat division and polarisation. So many lives have been lost to the evils of genocide. Whilst it may seem like genocide is inevitable, since it has happened so many times, we believe that genocide is preventable. By understanding what it is, and how it happens, we can work together to ensure genocide never happens again.