Denial of past genocide signals readiness for future genocidal massacres
Evidence
DENIAL: Denial is the tenth stage that always follows genocide. It is among the surest indicators of further genocidal massacres. The perpetrators of genocide dig up the mass graves, burn the bodies, try to cover up the evidence and intimidate the witnesses. They deny that they committed any crimes, and often blame what happened on the victims. They block investigations of the crimes, and continue to govern until driven from power by force, when they flee into exile. Leaders of the genocide continue to deny the crime unless they are captured and a tribunal (special court) is established to try them. The best response to denial is punishment by an international tribunal or national courts. — Gregory H. Stanton, Ten Stages of Genocide, 8
Categorization
- DEFINE: Defines stage 10 DENIAL: perpetrators dig up graves, blame victims, and deny crimes; surer indicator of further massacres.
- QUESTION: The claim that denial is ‘among the surest indicators of further genocidal massacres’ is testable and worth tracing to Stanton’s broader framework.
- XREF: connects to: Denial is a reliable predictor of further genocidal massacres — Gregory H. Stanton, Ten Stages of Genocide, 16; Denial always follows genocide and signals further massacres — Gregory H. Stanton, Ten Stages of Genocide, 16; A few denials can disrupt efforts to halt genocide in progress — Michael A. Sells, The Bridge Betrayed: Religion and…, 397 (+1 more)
Broader Connections
- Denial is a reliable predictor of further genocidal massacres
#corroborates(0.97) — Gregory H. Stanton, Ten Stages of Genocide, 16 - Denial always follows genocide and signals further massacres
#corroborates(0.90) — Gregory H. Stanton, Ten Stages of Genocide, 16 - Genocide denial functions to preserve belief in a just world.
#expands(0.78) — Michael A. Sells, The Bridge Betrayed, 110 - A few denials can disrupt efforts to halt genocide in progress
#qualifies(0.72) — Michael A. Sells, The Bridge Betrayed, 397