Making “never again” a reality
We all remember what happened in Srebrenica. We remember Rwanda. We know what happened in those Nazi death camps.
Millions upon millions were killed simply because they were Tutsi. Or Bosniak. Or Jewish.
Today is the Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and the Prevention of this Crime. In London, New York, and in places around the world ceremonies will be held, moments of silence will be observed, and the words “never again” will rightfully be spoken over and over. It’s the second best tribute we can offer as a human race. It doesn’t erase the past. Nothing can do that. But it sends an important signal that “we will never forget” were more than words.
But this is only the second best tribute. The very best we can do has nothing to do with words. We can act.
The scenes in Auschwitz, Rwanda, and Srebrenica took place decades ago, but the concept of genocide has sadly not been confined to history books. “Not lately” is not the same as “never again.”
What’s happening now in South Sudan puts all of this in jeopardy.
The United Nations has a Special Advisor for Genocide Prevention. His name is Adama Dieng and his job is to give weight to the words “never again.” He briefed the UN Security Council last month after returning from a trip to South Sudan. He couldn’t have been more direct when he said “the warning signs are there”.
He spoke of the process of genocide.
When we look back on the stains on our conscience, whether from 1994 or 1944, we remember the result. What we maybe forget is that in each case of genocide the process has a beginning.
Before the guns are fired or the machetes cut through the air, words are spoken. Calls for extermination are made. Hate speech becomes commonplace. Brothers somehow become “others”.
The most senior person dealing with genocide in the UN system has just indicated that we could get to that stage in South Sudan.
Now for the silver lining.
Because genocide is a process, we also have a chance to prevent it. We have an opportunity to change history before it’s written. We must seize that opportunity. That means taking action to make the prospects of genocide more difficult to carry out in South Sudan. We still have a chance to encourage dialogue. We still have a chance to put an end to the incitement of violence. And there’s certainly a chance to halt the seemingly endless flow of weapons into a volatile warzone.
It’s called an arms embargo.
When people in South Sudan are literally writing to their neighbours telling them “if you don’t want to die, you go today,” the message is clear that more weapons are not a solution.
The UN has implemented 27 arms embargos throughout the years. If there’s a chance that the 28th could halt a genocide, we would be foolish not to impose it.
An arms embargo is not a solution to all of South Sudan’s challenges. It will not solve the conflict. But it is part of what needs to be done to prevent atrocities.
So as the candles are lit in memorials and the speeches delivered today, know that remembering the past is important. But also know that genocide can be a part of our world’s future.
It’s our job to make sure that doesn’t happen.
