Yaadein Padiachy is a master’s candidate in Political Science at Stellenbosch University, after completing her undergraduate bachelor and honours degrees at Stellenbosch. As a research fellow at AVReQ, Yaadein focuses predominantly on exploring human rights, the role of public policies and the liberation of oppressed peoples. Her commitment to activism serves as a driving force behind her research, as Yaadein is deeply motivated to engage in scholarship that uplifts marginalized communities. Yaadein is particularly interested in research that not only contributes to academic discourse but also promotes social justice by amplifying voices that are often overlooked and advocating for policies that foster equity and dignity for all.

Current Research Project

Working Title: A Critical Analysis of the UN Genocide Convention through a Lemkin-inspired understanding of Genocide.

The proposed research examines how cultural and political factors influence the classification of mass atrocities as genocide by international institutions. It explores the evolution of the genocide concept, highlighting the exclusion of cultural genocide from legal definitions due to political pressures. The study investigates why some atrocities are recognized as genocide while others are not, analyzing the role of political actors in shaping classification. By assessing historical and contemporary cases, the research aims to reveal how international institutions, legal frameworks, and state interests impact genocide recognition, ultimately questioning the effectiveness and impartiality of global responses to mass violence and human rights violations.

Supervisors: Dr Sophia Sanan and Dr Guy Lamb

Email: yaadein@sun.ac.za