Research Symposium

BIO

Catalina Casillas is a second-year student studying International Affairs and French at the Florida State University. Currently, she is a research assistant for Mr. Damion Boldt’s original project, “Denying Human Rights Abuses.” She also serves as a mentor for incoming international exchange students through Global Noles and most recently was inducted into alpha Kappa Delta Phi International Sorority Incorporated. She has global experience studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, and Urawa-ku, Japan. Next fall semester, she hopes to pursue leadership by serving on the executive board for the Filipino Student Association and Capitill State Dance Team, as well as picking up a cabinet position for alpha Kappa Delta Phi.

Investigating Strategies of Denial in Response to Targeted Mass Killings Committed by Governments

Abstract

Currently, there is a scarcity of data that prevents researchers from systematically examining strategies of denial political leaders use when faced with human rights abuse allegations. This study aims to collect data on how political leaders deny human rights abuse allegations in the context of Targeted Mass Killings. This project was conducted through case studies of individual events of Targeted Mass Killings. We searched across international news media (i.e., Associated Press, New York Times International) through Nexis Uni, a library database to determine whether political leaders employed a strategy of denial, and if so, what type of denial they used. If a strategy of denial was used, use found sources to classify and characterize the variables of the denial in accordance with code book on Excel. Additionally, we noted variables that characterize denials across each case studies. These variables include but are not limited to leaders using racial rhetoric, claiming acts of terrorism, and threats to sovereignty to mitigate allegations. To ensure credibility, each source used to code the case studies are saved with the key search terms used for reference. A survey experiment was also conducted simultaneously in the Philippines to assess the effect of public opinion on domestic and international facing factors on denial.

Keywords: human rights, denial, mass killings