Historical Events tagged with "ethnic violence"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Social Movements & Civil Rights

Ethnic Violence and Riots in Cronulla

December 11th, 2005 19 years ago

In December 2005, Cronulla, New South Wales, witnessed large demonstrations by thousands of white Australians protesting against perceived ethnic violence. The protests escalated into a riot targeting individuals believed to be of Lebanese descent, leading to numerous confrontations and violent clashes. Initial demonstrations were fueled by outrage over incidents involving youth of Lebanese background on local beaches. These events prompted retaliatory attacks against the predominantly white community, culminating in a tense atmosphere marked by racial divides and social unrest.

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Crime & Law

Massacre of Congolese Tutsi Refugees

August 13th, 2004 20 years ago

In a brutal attack, armed assailants invaded the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi, resulting in the massacre of 156 Congolese Tutsi refugees. The perpetrators, reportedly from the Hutu community, targeted the camp during the night, leading to widespread shock and condemnation. The Marcelle camp, established to shelter those fleeing violence, became the scene of horrific tragedy as many refugees were killed and injured, and survivors were left traumatized by the violence against them.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Inter-ethnic violence erupts in Sampit

February 18th, 2001 24 years ago

In Sampit, Central Kalimantan, inter-ethnic violence erupted between the Dayak and Madurese communities, resulting in over 500 deaths and displacing 100,000 Madurese from their homes. The conflict was fueled by longstanding tensions over land and cultural differences, culminating in widespread riots and violence that lasted for several days. Authorities struggled to maintain order amidst the chaos, and many had to seek refuge in temporary shelters set up by the government and NGOs. The situation highlighted the fragility of social cohesion in Indonesia, particularly in multi-ethnic regions.

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Crime & Law

Akayesu Found Guilty of Genocide Charges

September 2nd, 1998 26 years ago

Jean-Paul Akayesu, the former mayor of Taba, was found guilty by the UN's International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda on nine counts of genocide. Akayesu was convicted for his role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, one of the most horrific events of the 20th century, during which hundreds of thousands of Tutsi were killed in a systematic campaign led by government authorities. This conviction marked a significant moment in international law, emphasizing accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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Crime & Law

Massacre of Tamil Political Prisoners

July 27th, 1983 41 years ago

Eighteen Tamil political prisoners were killed by Sinhalese prisoners at the Welikada high-security prison in Colombo. This massacre was part of a violent crackdown during a period of ethnic tension in Sri Lanka, which was exacerbated by the ongoing civil conflict. The attack occurred just two days after an earlier massacre, highlighting the deep-seated animosity and the climate of fear within the prison system. The event underscored the precarious situation for Tamils in the country amid escalating violence.

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Military & Warfare

Beginning of the Black July Anti-Tamil Riots

July 24th, 1983 41 years ago

The Black July riots erupted in Sri Lanka as a violent response to the killing of 13 Sri Lankan soldiers in an ambush by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Jaffna. Leading to widespread anti-Tamil violence across the island, the riots saw Sinhala mobs attack Tamil homes and businesses, resulting in deaths, injuries, and the displacement of thousands of Tamils. The death toll estimates range from 400 to 3,000 individuals, marking a significant escalation in ethnic tensions as the civil conflict intensified.

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Politics & Government

Simele Massacre of Assyrians

August 7th, 1933 91 years ago

In a violent crackdown against the Assyrian community, Iraqi forces killed over 3,000 Assyrians in the village of Simele. This act stemmed from rising tensions and a perceived threat from the Assyrians following the establishment of the Iraqi state post-World War I. The massacre marked a significant moment of violence in the region, affecting the Assyrian population profoundly.

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Military & Warfare

Eichenfeld Massacre of Mennonite Colonists

November 8th, 1919 105 years ago

The Eichenfeld massacre saw members of the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine killing 136 Mennonite colonists in Jaskyowo. This brutal act marked the beginning of a series of violent attacks against the Ukrainian Mennonite community, leading to the deaths of 827 individuals. The turmoil was rooted in the chaotic environment of post-World War I Ukraine, where various factions vied for control and exerted violence on minority populations. The attacks targeted Mennonites primarily due to their perceived alignment with the German community and inability to defend themselves.

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