Student Question
How does the genocide in Sri Lanka align with the 8 stages of genocide, considering some stages seem to be missing or out of order? Any suggestions for an outline?
Quick answer:
The genocide in Sri Lanka aligns with the 8 stages of genocide by following a sequence from classification, symbolization, dehumanization, organization, polarization, preparation, extermination, to denial. These stages involve distinguishing Sinhalese and Tamil groups, marginalizing Tamils, organizing militias, and denying crimes. Notably, polarization included educational restrictions and cultural marginalization, while preparation involved displacements and forced contraception. Extermination saw mass killings in "No Fire Zones." Despite some stages seeming out of order, these actions broadly fit the framework.
Hello! You asked how the genocide in Sri Lanka applies to the 8 stages of genocide. The eight stages of genocide according to Genocide Watch are classification (to distinguish between Sinhalese and Tamil), symbolization (name the symbols of this distinction), dehumanization (the Sinhalese Buddhist majority deny the humanity of Tamil peoples), organization (militias organize for the purposes of wholesale killing), polarization (broadcast polarizing propaganda), preparation (victims identified and separated), extermination (killing begins) and denial (deny that any crime has been committed and/or blame the victims).
I have listed two links below: the first is Genocide Watch's eight stages of genocide. The second is a 64 page document about Sri Lanka. I am afraid you are right about the lack of resources regarding the eight stages of genocide relating to Sri Lanka specifically. However, I believe you can read through the document and pick out what you need.
Let me give...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
an example: according to Genocide Watch, Stage 6 is thepreparation stage. In this stage, the hated group of citizens may be put into concentration camps, their property confiscated and appropriated, and their families put at risk for starvation. Page 26/27 of the document I listed tells us that the Sinhalese government has been actively displacing the Tamil people from their land, which are now known as military High Security Zones (HSZ), for the purposes of denying land and water resources to the hated group. Page 27 also tells us that the Sinhalese government has been using health care workers to compel Tamil women into accepting Jadelle, a contraceptive implant. This is forced birth control.
Stage 5 is polarization. Page 16 of the document tells us that the Sinhalese government has done this by cutting down the entry of Tamil students into Higher Education in 1971. In 1972, Buddhism is given a foremost place in the Constitution and Sinhalese is designated the official language. This is a deliberate marginalization tactic. Page 19 provides a little more detail about Stage 7 Extermination where No Fire Zones are established for the purposes of large scale assassinations and murder.
This document also has pertinent links supporting many of the facts I state above. The links are usually at the bottom of each page. So, with some reading, you will likely be able to glean what you need to write about the Sri Lankan genocide and how it applies to the 8 Stages of Genocide. I hope this helps you complete your assignment. Thanks for the question!