Panel Held at UCLA: "Facing Denial: The Last Stage of Genocide" (Winter 08)

by Alene Tchekmedyian

The Armenian Graduate Students Association at UCLA and ARF Shant Student Association hosted a panel discussion titled, "Facing Denial: the Last Stage of Genocide" on March 6 to examine past genocide denial attempts among nations that share a common history at the University of California, Los Angeles.

"The main purpose was to examine the denial of genocide as being the final stage of genocide," said Levon Baronian, Chairman of the Shant Student Association.

"We wanted to draw similarities and differences between the denial of the Armenian Genocide and the Jewish Holocaust and also examine why the repercussions or response to these denials have been different," he added.

Speakers from both the Armenian and Jewish communities served on the panel: Doctor Richard Hovannisian, Director of UCLA’s Chair Modern Armenian History, Dr. David Meyers, Director of UCLA’s Center for Jewish studies, Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America, and Joey Kurtzman, exective editor of website, jewcy.com.
The event catered to a younger demographic with the hope of drawing attention to the importance of persistence and consistency of activism against genocide denial.

"This event is immensely important because not only will it further our education about current and historical genocides, but it also serves as a good reminder about our community and our efforts to continue to proactively advocate our issues," said Raffi Kassabian, President of the AGSA at UCLA.

Moderated by Ardashes Kassakhian, Glendale City Clerk, the panel addressed a wide variety of issues including the importance of the campaign against the current genocide in Darfur as a catalyst for recognition of historical genocide Hamparian believes the attention being placed on Darfur is healthy because a candidate’s stance on Darfur has the ability to sway votes in the upcoming presidential elections.

"It is part of what Samantha Power described as the growth of an anti genocide constituency in America, which is very important because historically the opposition to genocide is a moral opposition, but now we have force of politics and force of voters," he said.

Along with drawing parallels between historical and modern genocides, panelists also delved into reasons for denial and why it is crucial that activists continue the fight for recognition. Hamparian listed why Armenians should invest energy into the campaign, namely morality, prevention, deterrence and rehabilitation.

"Genocide followed up by a powerful campaign of denial a genocide committed with impunity makes the world a more dangerous place," he said.

Meyers pointed out that the ongoing denial prevents wounded nations from moving forward to constructive activities. "If we don’t name criminal acts, we are somehow paralyzed from preventing it…it is not just international law that’s important it’s our own sense of moral responsibility" he said.

Hovannisian discussed the strategic forms of Turkish denial that has made their arguments more credible, as they no longer practice absolute denial. "They use what is much more effective…we have professors in main universities in the United States who are central to the denier thesis and they do not absolutely deny," he said. "These scholars admit the deaths occurred," he continued, "but claim there were reasons for the deaths as a way to rationalize their actions."

Hovannisian also urged the audience to remain optimistic. "There is hope because on the other hand, we have the Turkish scholars who are challenging the state narrative and are much more effective in combating Turkish denial," he said.

The collaboration with leaders of the Jewish community for this event reflects the importance of partnership to achieve justice. "Without our Jewish scholars or Jewish colleagues…we would be way back in the dark ages. They opened the doors for us; they have brought us forward," said Hovannisian.

Hovannisian also noted that Armenian Genocide denial stems from one overbearing source in Turkey. "If you are able to shut down the denial from Ankara, all of the other fires that have been lit will immediately extinguish themselves," he said.