Crimes against Humanity involve not just perpetrators and victims but also bystanders, people who are aware of the injustices being committed but choose to "stand by" as the atrocities unfold. Bystanders help shape society through their reactions and thereby can exert a powerful influence. They can even define the meaning of events and move others toward empathy or indifference. Why do bystanders choose not to act? What can we do as educators to avoid bystander complicity? How can we promote civic participation in various public processes to prevent Crimes against Humanity?

This training module offers ways to investigate the reasons that determine people's actions in different critical historical situations. Comparing our own behaviour with that of historical personalities can help us to better understand why people behave in the way they do. Knowing these decision-making mechanisms, we can influence people’s behaviour to prevent future Crimes against Humanity.

This training resource was developed as part of the Pestalozzi Programme of the Council of Europe during the “train the trainer” module on the Prevention of Crimes against Humanity (PREV2) held in 2016/2017.

Click here to access the resource.

To cite this resource: Burkevica, A. (2017). Bystanding - Neutrality manifestation or a crime? Teaching prevention of crimes against humanity in the historical context. In Council of Europe Pestalozzi Programme Training Units.