The Politics of Genocide

When is a genocide not genocide? When it gets in the way of politics. The non-binding “Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide - House Resolution (HR) 106”, is meant to acknowledge the deaths of over 300,000 Armenian’s (some put the death toll as high 1.5 million people), and hundreds of thousands who were forced from their lands, many of whom came to America.

The Genocide That Must Not Be Forgotten

All eight of the former US Secretary of State’s have come out in opposition this resolution. The State department, as an extension of the Bush administration, is also opposed to this resolution. A similar resolution was rejected by President Clinton during his term in office. The general consensus is that passing HR106 would strain our relationship with Turkey, a strong ally in Iraq. In fact as I was writing this piece the Turkish Ambassador to the United States was recalled. That may be so, but it shouldn’t stop us from doing the right thing.

Some would say that we should leave it to the historians to decide whether what happen in Armenian was a genocide. That is ludicrous! There sits a memorial on the site of the former Auschwitz Concentration Camp that simply states “Never Again.” The sign wasn’t placed there by historians, but by a world that made a promise to remain vigilant. Somehow we seem to have forgotten those words. Burundi (1972), Cambodia (1975 – 1979), Bosnia (1992 -1995), Rwanda (1994) Sudan (2000 – 2002), and Darfur have all happen on our watch. How easy was it for us to forget two simple words? Unless we stop and think about what history teaches us, past mistakes are destined to be repeated. Recognizing all genocides, including what happen in Armenian, is the first step to preventing them.

Darfur happened because it was not politically expedient for America, or the rest of the world, to intervene, just as it was with Armenia (1890 - 1920). What the cause and effect of each genocide has on the world can be left to the historians. The remembrance and prevention should be left to each of us. When it comes to “crimes against humanity” we are all historians.

21 Countries have already officially recognized the Armenian Genocide to include Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City. 40 of the 50 United States have passed resolutions recognizing the atrocities committed against the Armenian people. The United States, United Kingdom and the European Union have not official used the word “genocide,” but have acknowledged atrocities did occur.

The death toll and the methods used against the Armenian people are considered by many to be the first modern “genocide.” The Armenian genocide was the model studied by Hitler as he prepared for his campaign against the Jews and other “undesirables.” In fact, the lack of attention the world paid to the Armenian Genocide emboldened the Nazis. To call it anything else, or reject that the atrocities “rise to the level of a genocide,” is to rebuff history and devalue those that perished at the hands of evil.

In the end, House Resolution 106 lacks teeth because it is “non-binding,” a term suggesting a “lack of importance,” which many consider insulting to the Armenian people who suffered under the Ottoman Empire (who in 1915 was a Muslim nation that was governed by Sharia-based laws) and to their ancestors seeking affirmation. But it is a start.

As for Turkey, they should look to their hearts as a nation, and help begin the healing. The Armenian Genocide does not represent who Turkey is today as a country, nor more than slavery represent present-day America. There is no shame in admitting the failures of your past, either as a person or as a country. But pride can be found in our actions today to right the wrongs that clutter history, if to do nothing more than to say “Never Again!”

NOTE:

Both BBC (which I have included) and PBS presented documentaries of the subject. Although the BBC leans heavily on America’s failing to recognize the atrocities (while ignoring their own government, as well as other world governments failure to respond), it is a valid piece.

BBS – Betrayed