UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Message of peace

Q1. With reference to the definition of genocide in the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A campaign aimed at destroying a group defined solely by its members' political affiliation falls within the Convention's definition of genocide.
  2. The deliberate destruction of a group's cultural identity, without intent to destroy the group itself, is in itself sufficient to constitute genocide.
  3. Killing members of only a part of a protected group can qualify as genocide if the perpetrator intended to destroy that group in part.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A State party to the Genocide Convention can breach the Convention by failing to prevent genocide, even where its own organs have not themselves committed genocide.
  2. Genocide, as defined in the Convention, can be committed in time of peace as well as in time of armed conflict.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Establishing genocide requires proof of a specific intent that need not be proved to establish crimes against humanity.
  2. Crimes against humanity can be committed only in the course of an armed conflict.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q4. With reference to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The ICJ can conduct criminal trials of individual State leaders accused of genocide.
  2. The ICC prosecutes individuals for genocide and is legally and functionally independent of the United Nations.
  3. Whether a State has breached its obligations under the Genocide Convention can be decided by the ICJ in proceedings between States.
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q5. Which one of the following best describes how the International Criminal Court relates to national criminal jurisdictions?

  • A. It acts as a court of last resort, supplementing rather than replacing national courts
  • B. It can take up a case only after the UN Security Council has referred it
  • C. It hears appeals against criminal judgments delivered by the highest national courts
  • D. It enjoys primacy and may take over any national prosecution at any stage

Q6. With reference to the UN Human Rights Council and the Commissions of Inquiry it establishes, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. All members of the Human Rights Council are elected by the UN General Assembly.
  2. The permanent members of the UN Security Council hold permanent seats on the Human Rights Council.
  3. Commissioners appointed by the Human Rights Council to a Commission of Inquiry are not UN staff members.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Consider the following assertion: A Commission of Inquiry's conclusion that a State has committed genocide is not, by itself, a judicial determination of that State's legal responsibility. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

  1. The members of such a Commission are independent experts appointed by an intergovernmental body, not judges of a court.
  2. Within the UN system, settling legal disputes submitted by States in accordance with international law is the function of the International Court of Justice.
  3. Members of the Human Rights Council serve three-year terms.
  4. The Commission on the Occupied Palestinian Territory found that four of the five acts listed in the Genocide Convention had been committed.
  • A. 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3 only

Q8. During an armed conflict, members of a militia systematically rape women belonging to an ethnic group who are sheltering in a public building. In the light of international criminal law precedent, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The acts can constitute genocide if committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the ethnic group as such.
  2. The acts would constitute genocide even if the perpetrators intended merely to drive the group out of the area, without intent to destroy it.
  3. Even if genocidal intent is not established, the acts can amount to a crime against humanity if they form part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only