World War I:
Armenian Genocide (1915-1917): The Ottoman government systematically exterminated over 1 million Armenians during this period in what is widely recognized as the first genocide of the 20th century.
Treatment of Prisoners of War: Many prisoners of war faced harsh conditions and inadequate food and medical care in internment camps.
Rape and Sexual Violence: Women and girls in occupied territories were subjected to widespread sexual violence.
Massacres of Civilians: Massacres of civilians occurred on both sides, particularly on the Eastern Front of Europe.
World War II:
The Holocaust (1941-1945): The systematic extermination of an estimated 6 million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators, including mass killings in gas chambers and forced labor camps.
Mass Killings: In addition to the Holocaust, millions of non-Jewish civilians were also killed due to war-related violence, ethnic and political repression, and forced starvation as part of military occupation tactics.
Rape and Sexual Violence: Sexual violence was widespread, affecting women and girls in occupied territories across Europe and Asia, particularly by soldiers from both the Allied and Axis forces.
Displacement and Refugees: The forced displacement of millions of people occurred as a result of armed conflicts and ethnic cleansing measures.
Mistreatment of Prisoners of War: Harsh conditions and abuse inflicted on prisoners of war, including malnutrition, torture, and execution.
Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons: The German regime used gas chambers for mass extermination and tested chemicals and toxins on concentration camp prisoners.
Treatment of Civilian Populations: Occupation forces subjected civil populations in captured territories to violence, mass starvation, and deprivation of basic necessities.
Human rights violations from both world wars remain significant events in history, raising awareness of the atrocities committed and the impact on civilian populations and minority groups, leading to subsequent efforts to establish international regulations and institutions meant to safeguard human rights and prevent mass atrocities.