The Stages of Genocide: Bosnia

Stages of Genocide
According to Genocidewatch.com there are eight stages that occur. They are:

-Classification
-Symbolization
-Dehumanization
-Organization
-Polarization
-Preparation
-Extermination
-Denial

Each of these stages can be applied to the Bosnian genocide of the 90’s.
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Classification & Symbolization:

Classification and Symbolization act as the two precursors to the actual act of genocide. These two stages set in motion much of the separation and animosity between various ethnic or religious groups. Through classification people begin to be separated into an “us or them” mentality. By classifying people based on their background rather than who they are, you begin to create a grey area in a culture. This leads to Symbolization, which is one of the earliest and key moments leading up to a genocide. During this stage people are given labels. Rather than being a Bosnian, you were either a Serb or a Croat. By distinguishing a difference between groups it is easy to polarize one group and treat them as enemies.

Dehumanization:

Aside from the actual act of killing, dehumanization is one of the most dangerous stage of genocide. Not only does it lower one group of people below another, but it also sets in motion the cruel and atrocious acts that eventual take place. For example in Bosnia, by labeling Croats and Muslims as subhuman and painting them out to be outsiders, they were viewed as enemies to the country and seen as a threat.

Organization:

Organization is possibly one of the more disturbing stage of genocide. Even before the killings take place there are people planning horrible acts to take place. This stage is often planned by the military or government, which makes it even more disturbing. In Bosnia there were various planned acts of murder upon the Croats and Bosnian Muslims. Civilians were often told that a certain area was a safe zone and they would not be harmed there. This proved to be false as Serbian military units were sent there with the intent to murder innocent people.

Polarization:

Polarization act as later stages of dehumanization. Polarization acts on the cultural or religious distinctions made through dehumanization and takes them to the next level. During this stage extremist views become common and people who do not view things in such a radical light are deemed to be enemies of the state or traitors. In the case of Bosnia, Croats and Serbian Muslims were seen as unwelcomed outsiders who had no place in a free Bosnian state.
Preparation:
Preparation acts as a continuation of organization. During this stage people are identified and often placed on hit lists, which will be acted up during the killings. In Bosnia, different areas were specifically targeted for death. These locations were often towns made up of non-Bosnian Serbs, schools, and even distinguished safe zones which ended up being the location of a number of slaughters.

Extermination:

Extermination is the defining stage of genocide. During this stage the cultural distinctions set up in the earlier stages of genocide are acted upon. Individuals are not a target in this phase, often mass killings take place and people are rounded up for death. The Srebrenica massacre is one of the most infamous case of killing that took place during the Bosnian genocide. An estimated 8,000 victims were murdered in the town of Srebrenica. This was one of the largest recorded killing that took place on European soil since World War II.

Denial:

Denial is the final stage of genocide. It is the stage in which the crimes are hidden and denied. Mass graves will be dug up and victims’ bodies may be burned to destroy any evidence of mass killing. Aside from the actual killings this may be one of the most chilling stages of genocide. Not only are the perpetrators denying the murder of thousands of innocent lives, but they are also trying to hide what many people know to be true. In the case of Bosnia many of the higher ups and planners were brought to justice through the United Nations, but some perpetrators got off the hook. One of the most notorious being Slobodan Milosevic, who was responsible for the genocide, but died before he could be brought to justice.