What is a crime of genocide as per international law?

A crime of genocide, as defined by international law, specifically involves acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. This definition emphasizes the intent behind the actions and the specific groups targeted. Genocide is characterized not merely by acts of violence; rather, it fundamentally focuses on the systematic approach to eradicating a group based on its identity.

This differentiates it from other forms of violence or crime which may not involve the specific intention to destroy a group as defined by their national, ethnic, racial, or religious identity. The other options fail to capture this essential element of intent and purpose. For example, acts harming property or general acts of violence during wartime do not necessarily aim at the destruction of a specific group and therefore do not meet the criteria for genocide. Similarly, actions against non-combatants, while potentially tragic and serious, do not inherently reflect the targeted intent that characterizes genocidal acts. Thus, the definition provided aligns directly with the core tenets established in international law regarding crimes of genocide.