Opinion: Genocide or not, the Uighurs need urgent international support

In an op-ed, Professor Philippe Sands (UCL Laws) explains why the focus on the word 'genocide' skews our responses to other acts of mass atrocity. In recent days the horrendous treatment of the Uighur community by the Chinese government has received the attention it requires. Some assert that a genocide is being perpetuated by China, by reported sterilisations, displacements, mass incarcerations and other inhumanities. A complaint of genocide, as well as crimes against humanity, has been lodged with the International Criminal Court but the former is always difficult to prove. The word "genocide" attracts attention like no other. The desire to destroy a group in whole, or in part, is unique in opening up the imagination, the pinnacle of criminal horrors. Other terms, including "crimes against humanity", which focuses on the protection of individuals, do not carry the same dread resonance.