At the Jan. 27 ceremonies for the 60th anniversary of the
liberation of Auschwitz, the prevalent reaction was “never
again.” And yet we still continue to see genocide occurring
today, most notably in Darfur, Sudan.
The systematic annihilation and displacement of millions of
Sudanese in Darfur is nothing less than a part of the repetitious
cycle of systematic genocide that continues to haunt the world
community to this day.
How can today’s governments stand by while groups of
people in the world are subject to targeted extinction policies?
How can the United States send its sons and daughters into battle
exclaiming that democracy and freedom in Iraq are worth their
lives, yet ignore those very same principles in another
situation?
Darfur demands a similar sacrifice, but the determination of
engagement is conspicuously absent when addressing this crisis.
Over 1.5 million Armenians were systematically executed, raped
and deported by the Ottoman Empire in what is acknowledged as one
of the first genocides of the 20th century. Volumes of academic
research on the subject are accompanied by acknowledgments by
genocide scholar societies as well as proclamations by numerous
countries and state governments.
But the United States, a country that continually unfurls the
banner of ethical and moral values to justify the pursuit of
domestic as well as foreign policy agendas, has yet to come to
terms with the Armenian Genocide and join the world in admitting,
let alone seeking justice for, this crime against humanity.
Instead, in deference to the Republic of Turkey, an alleged
“strategic partner and NATO ally,” according to the
U.S. Agency for International Development, the United States has
avoided facing the Armenian Genocide.
The threats of limited access to NATO bases and the loss of
military or other business contracts is apparently enough for the
United States to drop the ethical banner in this particular case
and pick up the pennant of obscure “national interests”
excuses.
Until there is an equitable pursuit of justice, we are left to
fight not one battle, but two. Not only must we fight to prevent
crimes against humanity, but we must also fight the denial of such
crimes. In doing so we can ensure that we are combating the
recurring cycle of genocides.
The citizens in Darfur cry for their justice. Their government
has failed to protect their lives, families and homes, but instead
has instigated or even organized those responsible for murdering
and dislocating them.
For nearly 90 years, successive Turkish governments have
actively denied the Armenian Genocide. It is their hope to absolve
themselves of any punitive measures that are a natural part of the
process of justice for this crime.
Because the Turkish government has not been held accountable for
its crimes against humanity in the past, the government has been
able to continue human rights abuses into the present day. It
stifles the lives and tramples on the rights of its minorities.
Turkey is noted for having some of the highest numbers of
imprisoned journalists, and it continually strikes down ““ via
legal or brute tactics ““ those who question the fallibility
of the state. The Turkish government wants to intimidate its own
citizens into silence or self-censorship on issues like the
Armenian Genocide.
The world continues to turn a blind eye out of convenience and
enables this behavior of the Turkish government, facilitating what
I call the “Campaign of Silence.”
When the United States and governments worldwide behave in such
a manner, is it any wonder why “never again” sounds so
hollow? Is it any wonder that after 1915, there was a 1938? Is it
any wonder that the Armenians were followed by Cambodians, Rwandans
and now the citizens of Darfur?
The silence continues today because we as human beings have not
come to terms with our past. We have turned the other cheek because
it is easier than seeking justice.
Adolf Hitler proclaimed to the Nazi Army before invading Poland,
“Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the
Armenians?” Will we finally learn to consistently apply
American values to our national interests ““ recognizing
everyone’s rights to a pursuit of happiness, freedom and
self-determination?
Or will the next genocidal government say, “Who, after
all, speaks today of the annihilation of the people of
Darfur?”
Kassabian is a fourth-year political science and
communication studies student.