In the spring of 2026, LIAS will invite fellows to explore the theme Why genocide? Definitions, causes, effects and representations. In international law, the legal definition of genocide is too rigid to be workable. As a result, situations that are perceived worldwide as inhumane and genocidal cannot be condemned as such. Because there is a great deal of research in the social and historical sciences on genocide, it is relevant to confront this knowledge with the legal definition of genocide and to examine whether it still corresponds to these insights. Obviously, the search would not only be for a definition, but also for a description of what contributes to genocide. The title “Why genocide?” is not only a question about the causes of genocide, but also relates to the question of why it is important to categorise something like genocide. What symbolic value does this have, and how far do the legal and political consequences extend? How does this categorisation relate to other legal definitions, such as those relating to “human rights violations”, “crimes against humanity” and the “responsibility to protect”? At least as important, but of a different order, is the question “What after genocide?”.

Attention will also be paid to the position of witnesses to genocide. Many people in the immediate vicinity of the crisis realise what is going on, but are unable or afraid to react. How can the silence of the majority be broken? What can or should people or societies do who, at first glance, have nothing to do with the violence? A Leuven working group is developing these themes, which will be presented to international experts in the spring of 2026.