In an era that prides itself on progress and enlightenment, the persistent specter of inhumanity looms large across the globe. Wars and genocidal actions continue to unfold, leaving in their wake a trail of suffering and despair that often goes unaddressed by those in power.

Throughout history, humanity has been plagued by the horrors of war and genocide, acts that reflect the darkest aspects of human nature. From the Armenian Genocide to the trenches of World War I, the Holocaust and the level of destruction, ethnic cleansing in the Balkans, Darfur, starvation and forced deportation of ethnic Armenians by Azerbaijan, the ongoing conflicts in the Ukraine, in Syria, Myanmar, Gaza and the West Bank (and the list is endless), the inhumanity displayed during these times raises profound questions about our collective moral compass. Despite the existence of international laws and organizations designed to uphold human rights and ensure peace, it appears that the power to effect change rests in the hands of the powerful, who frequently choose silence or complicity over condemnation creating a moral vacuum.

War, by its very nature, is a manifestation of humanity’s capacity for destruction. It often stems from a complex interplay of political, economic, and social factors, leading to catastrophic consequences for millions. Moreover, modern warfare has evolved with the use of drones and cyber warfare introducing new dimensions of violence. These advancements dehumanize the “enemy”, reducing individuals to mere statistics in a broader military strategy. This detachment leads to a troubling disregard for human life, perpetuating cycles of violence that seem unending.

Genocide represents one of the most egregious violations of human rights, characterized by the deliberate and systematic extermination of a particular group. Historical examples such as the Armenian Genocide by Ottoman Turks, the Jewish Holocaust, the Rwandan Genocide, the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, the brutal conflicts in Syria and Yemen to the more recent Azeri brutality toward ethnic Armenians, the ongoing strife in Ukraine and the current killing of 42,000 Palestinians by Israelis, illustrate the chilling reality, that when hatred and intolerance fester, they lead to unimaginable atrocities that escalate into widespread violence, resulting in mass displacement and humanitarian crises. (The United Nations estimates that there are currently over 70 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, a stark reminder of the human cost of war.) Despite widespread awareness and condemnation from activists and some governments, the international response has failed to translate into meaningful action against this inhumanity.

The question of power and responsibility is central to the discourse on war and genocide. The United Nations, established to promote peace and security, has struggled to fulfill its mandate in the face of such challenges. The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine was introduced and adopted in 2005 to address this very issue, asserting that the international community has a moral obligation to intervene when a state is unwilling or unable to protect its citizens. However, the inconsistent and selective application of R2P (given the veto power held by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council) leads to accusations of hypocrisy and undermines the credibility of those who claim to uphold human rights.

Why do powerful nations often hesitate to intervene decisively in the face of such inhumanity?  Because shamefully, political interests, national sovereignty, bureaucratic inertia, the complex geopolitical landscape, and personal interests often take precedence over humanitarian concerns even with clear human rights violations.

The inhumanity manifested through wars and genocides is a stark reality that demands urgent attention within the international community.  This is a moral imperative that calls for the engagement of all individuals, regardless of their background. As global citizens, we must advocate for accountability and solidarity in the face of injustice.

Remember, Impunity gathers force, and unchecked, it gains momentum. Just two years ago, it started with Azerbaijan attacking Armenians of Nagorno Karabagh claiming territorial sovereignty over the region with the aid of drones from Turkey and Israel. This was followed by a blockade of the area by Azerbaijan that starved 120,000 ethnic Armenians of food, water, medical supplies and hospitalization causing a humanitarian crisis which powerful nations failed to condemn and allowed the Azeri government to cross one red line after another forcing the deportation of 120,000 ethnic Armenians. It is no wonder that Russia took advantage of starting an ongoing war for territorial claim and sovereignty in the Ukraine.  The attack of October 7 on Israeli civilians last year was condemned by countries all over the world, but the unprecedented scale of terror unleashed on the Palestinians since that day and a possibility of all-out war into Lebanon is beyond any justification. This must stop. We cannot surrender to a collective desensitization to the plight of others.

A Call for Global Solidarity

To confront these challenges, a renewed commitment to human rights, accountability, and international solidarity is essential where the the dignity of every human being is respected and upheld. Only through collective action and a willingness to prioritize humanity over political expediency can we hope to mitigate the horrors of war and genocide and foster a world where inhumanity is met with unequivocal condemnation and decisive action.

I ask you, if we are not nations united in the conviction that all people are equal in rights, dignity and worth and that all countries are equal in the eyes of the law, what kind of world does that leave us with?  Will we as global citizens of this earth, surrender to inaction or will we fight to uphold the principles that anchor our humanity and our world? Right now, can we continue to stand by and watch as children waste away, as parents swaddle their dying babies, as doctors watch their patients die from lack of basic medical supplies, while more innocent lives are lost because the world has failed to act? In the absence of global accountability repeated horrors are being normalized threatening to create a future where anything is permitted anywhere in the world. Is this the future to which we want to surrender our children?

The cycle of inhumanity unabated is the gravest threat to our global security today. History will judge us by the courage we show, or will inhumanity be our dark legacy?