"International Day of Commemoration for Genocide Victims: 10th Anniversary and the Forgotten Genocides of Asia Minor" by Carlo Coppola
The 10th Anniversary: A Global Call for Justice and Prevention
Understanding Genocide: Legal Definition and Essential Elements
In legal terms, genocide is defined by the specific intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. For a massacre to be classified as genocide under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the following essential elements must be present:
1. Identification of Protected Groups
Victims must belong to a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
2. Genocidal Acts
One or more of the following acts must be committed:
- a) Killing members of the group
- b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group
- c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
- d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group
- e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group
3. Genocidal Intent (Dolus Specialis)
This is the crucial element: the acts must be committed with the specific intent to destroy the group as such, not merely to harm it. This distinguishes genocide from other crimes against humanity.
The UN High-Level Meeting: Reaffirming "Never Again"
The current high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), convened through resolution A/RES/79/328, reaffirms the necessity of preventing such crimes, combating impunity, and fighting incitement to hatred. In his message of December 8, UN Secretary-General António Guterres invoked the promise of "never again," while the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, emphasized the decisive role of education and international accountability.
The Forgotten Genocides of Asia Minor: A Demand for Recognition
The Armenian Genocide (1915-1923), the Greek Pontic Genocide, the Assyrian Genocide, and the persecution of the Yezidis represent systematic campaigns of extermination carried out in Asia Minor during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of modern Turkey. These atrocities resulted in millions of deaths through massacres, forced deportations, starvation, and deliberate destruction of communities.
Despite overwhelming historical evidence, these genocides continue to face denial and insufficient international recognition. The struggle for acknowledgment is not merely a historical matter—it is a fundamental requirement for justice, reconciliation, and the prevention of future atrocities.
Remembering to Protect the Future: Beyond Memory to Action
Remembering the genocides of Asia Minor means protecting the future. Memory alone is not enough. Only through full recognition and preventive action can we ensure that such atrocities are never repeated. The international community must move beyond commemorative gestures to concrete measures: education programs, legal accountability, support for survivors and their descendants, and unwavering commitment to early warning systems that can identify and prevent genocidal patterns before they escalate.
As we observe this significant anniversary, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly committed to "never again," or are these words merely rhetoric? The answer lies in our actions today and our determination to ensure that the victims of genocide are remembered not just with words, but with justice.
