Atrocities

Unpaid Debt

Research Assistants Comments on Rights Atrocities, Slavery 0

How the Crown and Elite Institutions Profited from Slavery—and Still Refuse to Pay What They Owe Britain’s carefully cultivated image as the moral architect of abolition is collapsing under the weight of historical evidence that tells a far less flattering story: one of systematic profit extracted from enslaved African labor, the construction of enduring institutions with that wealth, and a persistent refusal—down to the present—to repay what is owed. Slavery was not an unfortunate aberration in British history; it was a foundational business model. And the debt it created—material and moral—remains unpaid. New scholarship makes clear that Britain did not merely tolerate slavery or benefit indirectly from it. The British Crown, the state, and some of the country’s most revered institutions actively engineered, financed, and depended upon enslavement—and then, when slavery became politically untenable, rebranded themselves as abolitionist while preserving the profits. The Crown as Profiteer, Not Bystander A forthcoming book by American historian Brooke Newman, The Crown’s Silence, dismantles the enduring myth of royal detachment or reluctant complicity. Drawing on extensive archival records, Newman demonstrates that from the Elizabethan period through the eighteenth century, the British monarchy was a central economic actor in the transatlantic slave trade. The Royal Navy did not merely protect British interests overseas; it actively expanded and secured the slave trade. Naval ships were loaned to slave-trading companies, sailors and officers were assigned to protect slave voyages, and logistical support was provided at public expense. The profits from this enterprise flowed directly into royal coffers. […]

The First Step to Genocide Is a Word

HUQUQ Research Team Comments on Rights Atrocities, Supremacism 0

The Way Dehumanization Paves the Path to Atrocity Every genocide and every crime against humanity is rooted in one deliberate act: the dehumanization of its victims. Study any instance of genocide, mass atrocity, war crime, or systematic violence—and you will find a consistent, chilling pattern. Before the violence begins, a narrative is constructed to justify it; as it unfolds, that same narrative legitimizes it; and once it ends, the narrative whitewashes it. At the heart of this process lies the dehumanization of the targeted group. We saw this in Syria, where supremacist factions used explicit, degrading language to label religious, ethnic, and secular communities as subhuman. They fabricated stories of atrocities allegedly committed by these groups, framing their own brutal campaigns as “self-defense” or “retribution.” Even the most mundane actions by members of the targeted communities were twisted into evidence of sinister, premeditated aggression—conveniently justifying future acts of mass violence as necessary retaliation. More recently, Israeli leaders—preparing for what would become one of the most extreme asymmetrical wars in modern history—began dehumanizing Palestinians as early as October 8, 2023, calling them “human animals.” Ancient biblical rhetoric was invoked to rationalize the killing of children (Amalek), while labels like “terrorism” and “antisemitism” were weaponized to mobilize public support and shield actions now widely described by credible human rights organizations and scholars as genocidal. Ending the violence in Gaza will not extinguish the deeper impulse that makes such atrocities possible: the reflexive, self-serving belief that some lives are less human than others. […]

The Wrongs that Made Rights Possible: From Rights to Human Rights

HUQUQ Research Team Introduction to Human Rights, Education, Teaching Atrocities, Declarations, Treaties, UDHR 0

The concept of human rights has undergone a profound transformation over centuries, evolving from the notion of rights granted by royal decree and national constitutions to the declaration of universal rights most of which were eventually enshrined in international law in the form of treaties and conventions. This transition reflects both humanity’s growing understanding of inherent human dignity and the egregious abuse that forced human beings to aspire to do better. The journey from citizen or subject rights to universal human rights has been shaped by historical events, philosophical thought, and the need to address egregious atrocities that have occurred throughout human’s existence. Historically, rights were often tied to subjecthood or citizenship within a specific country or nation-state. In ancient civilizations, such as Greece and Rome, rights were granted to citizens but excluded slaves, women, and foreigners. Similarly, in feudal Europe, rights were hierarchical, with monarchs and nobility enjoying privileges denied to most of the population. From ancient royal decrees, like the one that produced the code of Hammurabi (1754 BCE) to the Magna Carta (1215 CE) and the English Bill of Rights (1689 CE) marked early steps toward limiting arbitrary power and recognizing certain rights, but these were still confined to specific groups within a kingdom or a country. Spurred by the abuses at the hands of the Crown and Cross, thinkers of the Western world educated themselves about the achievements of ancient civilizations during the Renaissance and began to emerge out of the Dark Ages. The Enlightenment era […]

Review of “Muslims and the Western Conception of Rights”: Human Rights Beyond the Ideals

HUQUQ Research Team HUQUQ Bookreview Atrocities, Dignity, Human Rights, Jāhiliyya, Supremacism 0

It has been 1,415 years since the end of the Jāhiliyya — a concept often referenced by Muslim thinkers as a pivotal turning point in human history. This moment was expected to usher in an era of justice. But has it? The promise of that age — justice, dignity, and knowledge — remains an unfinished project. It is a goal toward which many, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, continue to strive. The end of Jāhiliyya was not merely a historical event; it marked the beginning of an enduring challenge — to continually struggle for a more just world. As contemporary Muslim scholars like Abdulaziz Sachedina argue, the Prophet Muhammad’s message represented more than a religious break with Arabia’s pagan past. It was a profound moral and civilizational transformation. For Sachedina, the Qur’an introduced a new ethical consciousness centered on human dignity, justice, and moral agency — values that strongly resonate with modern human rights principles. Sachedina contends that the Qur’an is not limited to theological or metaphysical concerns; it speaks directly to the conditions of human life. It addresses the disenfranchised and the oppressed, offering not only spiritual guidance but also a moral vision for society. The Qur’anic declaration that God has honored all the children of Adam (Qur’an 17:70), in Sachedina’s interpretation, affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every human being — regardless of religion, ethnicity, or gender. Thus, the Islamic break from Jāhiliyya marked not only the embrace of monotheism but also a radical ethical reordering of human […]

Ideology and Mass Killing: The Radicalized Security Policies Behind Genocide and Deadly Atrocities

HUQUQ Editors HUQUQ Bookreview Atrocities, Genocide, Mass Killings 0

In his thought-provoking work, “Ideology and Mass Killing: The Radicalized Security Policies Behind Genocide and Deadly Atrocities,” Dr. Jonathan Maynard, a senior lecturer and associate professor in international politics at King’s College London, delves into the disturbing phenomenon of mass murder and its ideological underpinnings. This book offers a comprehensive analysis of why ordinary individuals can become perpetrators of horrific acts, and how ideology plays a critical role in justifying these crimes. Dr. Maynard is not new to the discourse on political violence; prior to his tenure at King’s College, he was associated with the University of Oxford. His academic focus encompasses international relations, political theory, and the intersection of ideology with armed conflict and geopolitical competition. His extensive research on the mechanisms of political violence, particularly against civilians, positions him uniquely to tackle the complex issues presented in this book. Spanning 560 pages, the book is structured into nine insightful chapters, each meticulously dissecting the layers of ideology that contribute to mass violence. The introduction sets the stage, presenting the enigma of mass murder and the ideological critiques surrounding it. From there, Maynard systematically explores various dimensions of ideology, its impact on human behavior, and its capacity to incite violence. The book’s structure is as follows: Chapter One: The introduction lays out the framework for understanding the interplay between ideology and mass murder. Maynard presents a compelling argument regarding the necessity of analyzing the ideological motivations that drive individuals to commit such acts. Chapter Two: Here, Maynard engages in […]