Which term refers to widespread attacks against civilians, including murder, enslavement, deportation and torture?

• A. Genocide
• B. Crimes against humanity
• C. Terrorism
• D. War crimes

Answer: (B)

Crimes against humanity describe deliberate, widespread or systematic attacks on civilian populations. The acts listed—murder, enslavement, deportation, torture—are classic examples that appear in the statute when they’re part of a broad pattern or policy directed at civilians. This makes it the best fit for the description.

Genocide focuses on destroying a particular protected group (by race, religion, ethnicity, etc.), which is a more specific aim than the general civilian-targeted pattern described here. War crimes are violations of the laws of armed conflict, but crimes against humanity can occur during peacetime or war as part of a broader attack on civilians. Terrorism targets fear to pursue political ends and isn’t the same legal category as crimes against humanity.