What is the difference between Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide?

Ethnic cleansing and genocide are both very closely related, and they both refer to the killing of a specific group of people. Ethnic cleansing was a term that emerged only since 1990, so comparatively speaking ethnic cleansing is a relatively new concept, while the term genocide was first said in 1944 when the Nazis were killing the Jewish people.

Ethnic cleansing is a purposeful policy created by one ethnic or religious group to remove them at all costs, even if murder ensues. It is a broad term that includes the deportation of civilians, destruction of people’s homes or entire populations, extrajudicial killing. Back in the 1940s, the killing of the Jews was recognized as a crime under international law. Genocide involves many different kinds of violence. It may include the murder of a specific group or race, causing severe mental or bodily harm, and taking extreme and purposeful measures to prevent births within a group or to cause physical destruction.

Often confused with one another, genocide and ethnic cleansing are different. One of the differences between them is in regards to legality. Genocide is recognized as a legal crime. It was done so by the United Nations. Unfortunately, ethnic cleansing is not seen as a legal crime.

Another difference between them is the intent. With both, lives are lost, but with genocide, the intent is to kill. Ethnic cleansing is not done to intentionally kill people, but killing is done with enough destroying to the person. Both are performed with a specific focus on a person's race, religion, or personal beliefs.