Ethnic cleansing refers to the deliberate and systematic forced removal, displacement or persecution of a particular ethnic, religious or cultural group from a specific area. This can involve mass killings, forced deportations, destruction of cultural and religious sites and other forms of violence and intimidation

Ethnic cleansing violates international law and is considered a grave human rights violation. While “ethnic cleansing” itself is not explicitly defined as a separate crime under international law, the acts associated with it — such as genocide, mass displacement, crimes against humanity and war crimes — are prohibited under various international treaties and legal frameworks, including:

The Genocide Convention (1948): Ethnic cleansing can overlap with genocide if the intent is to destroy a group in whole or in part.

The Geneva Conventions (1949) and Additional Protocols:  These prohibit forced displacement and attacks on civilians during armed conflicts.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) : Includes crimes against humanity, such as deportation, extermination, and persecution based on ethnicity or religion.

UN Resolutions and Customary International Law: The United Nations has repeatedly condemned ethnic cleansing and taken measures to prevent it.

In modern international justice, those responsible for ethnic cleansing can be prosecuted in international courts.

In his rhetorical proposal on Gaza, Trump would conspire to violate basic requirements of decent human beings, honorable religious adherents and revered concepts of what America should stand for. He brings shame to our nation and horror to the people of Gaza.

Peter Colomaio, Bradford