[Genocide--some medical and psychological aspects]

Abstract

The Nazi genocide of the Jews was the background for the UN Convention on Genocide in 1949. The number of people murdered according to the definition in the UN Convention in the period 1900-87 has been estimated at 37 million; the real number is probably higher. Genocide is a considerable cause of death, it has severe consequences for survivors, is an irreplaceable loss for surviving relatives and a trauma for the collective identity. Fair trials of the perpetrators is important to the victims and society. The disastrous role of medicine in the Holocaust should be included in educational programmes as a reminder of the vulnerability of the health professions.