Youk Chhang : Nowadays activities of terrorist groups result of impunity for first Genocide of 20th century
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YEREVAN, APRIL 24, ARMENPRESS. Nowadays activities of terrorist groups are result of the impunity for the first Genocide of the 20th century, in an interview with “Armenpress” Executive Director of the Cambodian DC-Cam, founder of “Sleuk Rith” Institute and survivor of the “Killing Fields” of Khmer Rouge Youk Chhang said this.
“That is why we must learn and timing is now. The establishment of a World Genocide Education for peace and prosperity would also put Armenia at the forefront of genocide education. The establishment of such a program would demonstrate Armenia's commitment to human rights and the Genocide Convention, and efforts at responding to and preventing mass violence”, Youk Chhang stated.
He thinks that now humanity stands at a critical decision point. “On the one hand, we can confront violent extremism, such as the attacks that occurred in Paris, with the same tactics and strategies that we have seen employed in the past. Increased security and additional legal mechanisms seem to be all but expected consequences to an increasingly dangerous world. However, there are other options and approaches to countering violent extremism that we should also consider” Youk Chhang said.
He stated that while genocide education is not a solution to violent extremism, genocide, or mass atrocities, it is a medium that offers immeasurable dividends and immense opportunities.
“Genocide and mass atrocities are as old as human civilization. While we have made progress in punishing, we have so much more to do toward justice, prevention, and reparation”, Chhang stated.
According to him, Genocide Education is not a panacea for our human condition, but it has not been adequately considered, resourced, and deployed as a medium for addressing the preconditions and consequences of our regional and global problem with extreme violence. “Genocide Education offers us the opportunity to address the population most susceptible to violent extremism, our youth” Youk Chhang concluded.