28 Genocide Denial Genocides continue even after the terrible killing ends. Professor Gregory Stanton’s last stage of Genocide was denial. left untouched the last stage of denial grows and can twist history, especially in the age of the internet. Early stage denial: Denial starts as soon as the genocide starts: the perpetrators are motivated by self-protection, political agenda, monetary gain and to aid the development of the genocide. For instance, in the ongoing genocide against the Rohingya people, government officials vehemently denied their crimes to allow for them to continue without intervention-there by protecting themselves from foreign military prevention. This instantaneous denial is seen in most genocides-and attempt to slow intervention and set up further denial so prosecution is harder or impossible later on. Building the propaganda to justify or outright deny any crime is one method of denial that can prevent justice for the victims and allow the murderers to be free.
‘Unremembered Days’ is a book recently written by ninety young people from ten different schools. It contains the true stories of tragically unforgettable but unremembered days. Forewords for the book have been written by Philippe Sands, the author of acclaimed ‘East West Street’, Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor of Channel 4 News and Lord Nick Bourne.
Late stage denial: After allied forces successfully defeated the Nazi regime in 1945 many perpetrators denied knowledge of ‘the Final Solution’ even though there all the evidence pointed to the contrary. This denial was for preservation, to protect themselves from prosecution. After a genocide is linked to a certain political group or ideal - those with the same political affiliation will try to deny it’s connections or the genocide itself to aid their political agenda. An example of this is the government officials of Republika Srpska who have repeatedly blocked laws preventing denial of the 1995 genocide so that their sim- A message of support from Luke de Pulford, Director, Arise ilar political agenda can remain unharmed. Even a mayor of Foundation Srebrenica, Mladen Grujičić, denied that the genocide took place. This exploitation of people who have fallen prey to “Every generation since the Genoyears of propaganda or have been scared into self-protection cide Convention has failed to honis another horror of genocide that aids mass murderers and our its promises. prevents justice for victims Denial today: With the communication available today it is far easier for fake news to reach millions of people internationally, however it also enables the truth to perpetuate. The internet has aided hate speech against the Rohingya to spread and Many misleading sources not representing the true nature of the violence and algorithms making it even more difficult to learn the truth. Denial of the Holocaust has multiplied online. However it has also allowed the truth of other genocides to reach millions. The internment and sterilisation of Uyghurs in China has been revealed and spread throughout multiple sources forcing corporations and governments to take action with growing public awareness and concern. The growth in technology especially in countries that are directly affected by genocide is another area that must be managed to see the true effects and whether or not they can be use to prevent genocide through awareness not perpetuate it through propaganda.
Some of us tried. But we must be honest and admit our failures. We have failed. Failed to treat “never again” - a phrase hallowed by the blood of millions - with the respect it deserves. Who will be the generation to say “never again” and mean it? Will it be yours? I hope so.
Because all that is required to make “never again” a reality is political will, and a change of heart. You have the potential to be that changed heart, and to beat relentlessly for human dignity Countless millions who will face atrocities in the future are depending on you. You carry their hope, and mine. Godspeed. You will not find a more important cause.”
