Genocide and the world’s averted gaze

On January 27, 2025, the world marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet soldiers in 1945. This day not only commemorates the lives lost in the Holocaust but also renews the global pledge to prevent future genocides. The ongoing suffering in Gaza, and the International Criminal Court’s investigation into potential genocide, brings the need for this pledge into sharp focus once again.

The Holocaust and the Beginning of "Never Again"

• Liberation of Auschwitz: On January 27, 1945, Soviet forces liberated Auschwitz, uncovering the remains of approximately 1.1 million victims, primarily Jews. The Nazis had destroyed their records, but the horrors of the Holocaust remain a significant moment in human history.
• Post-War Pledge of "Never Again": The phrase "Never Again" was coined after the Holocaust, symbolizing a global commitment to preventing future genocides. The 1948 Genocide Convention recognized genocide as a crime and called for measures to prevent it, acknowledging its lasting stain on human history.
• Worsening of the Refugee Crisis: Despite the knowledge of Nazi atrocities, the international community failed to take decisive action in the years leading up to and during the Holocaust. Many Jewish refugees faced bureaucratic obstacles, xenophobia, and restrictive immigration policies, which compounded their suffering.

Post-War Genocides and the International Response

• Cambodia (1975-1979): The Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia killed over two million people through execution, starvation, and forced labor. International response was minimal, heavily influenced by Cold War politics, with both China and the West supporting factions that were part of the conflict.
• Rwanda Genocide (1994): The Rwanda genocide saw the mass murder of up to 1 million Tutsis and moderate Hutus within 100 days. Despite warnings, the UN peacekeepers were unable to stop the killings, highlighting the failure of the international community to intervene in a timely manner.
• Bosnia and Darfur Genocides: In 1995, more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men were executed in Srebrenica despite it being a UN safe zone. Similarly, the Darfur genocide (2003-2005) led to 200,000 deaths, but the international response was weak and delayed in both cases, illustrating the recurring failure of global governance mechanisms.

The Gaza Crisis and the Question of Genocide

• Ongoing Conflict in Gaza (2023): As of 2023, violence in Gaza has raised the question of whether Israel’s actions in response to Hamas attacks amount to genocide. With more than 47,000 deaths, primarily women and children, and the destruction of homes and infrastructure, international concerns about potential genocide are growing.
• ICC Investigation into Israel and Hamas: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened investigations into whether Israeli actions in Gaza and Hamas’ attacks may constitute genocide. Arrest warrants have been issued for leaders of both sides, but international responses, particularly from Western countries, have been defensive of Israel’s self-defense rights.
• Global Inaction and Selective Responses: Despite the mounting evidence of atrocities, many in the international community have failed to intervene effectively in Gaza. The West, particularly the U.S. and Europe, has continued to supply arms to Israel, further complicating the international response to the crisis.

Practice Question

Q. Despite the pledge of ‘Never Again’ made after the Holocaust, the world has witnessed repeated genocides. Critically examine the failures of international mechanisms to prevent genocides in the post-WWII era, with specific reference to Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Gaza.