THOMAS HAMMARBERG: "MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE"
2/thomas-hammarberg
08:24 pm | March 22, 2010
Politics
"Historical controversies should not hold human rights hostage.
One-sided interpretations or distortions of historical events have
sometimes led to discrimination of minorities, xenophobia and renewal
of conflict. It is crucial to establish an honest search for the
truth" said Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for
Human Rights, in his latest Viewpoint published today.
Gross human rights violations in the past continue to affect relations
in today’s Europe. In some cases, genuine knowledge of history has
facilitated understanding, tolerance and trust between individuals and
peoples. However, some serious atrocities are denied or trivialised,
which has created new tensions.
"Coming to terms with history is always essential, but particularly
crucial in cases of massive atrocities and human rights violations.
Such crimes cannot be ignored without severe consequences. Prolonged
impunity or lack of acknowledgment over several generations tends
to create bitterness among those who identify themselves with the
victims. This, in turn, can poison relations between people who
were not even born when the events in question took place" said the
Commissioner.
Even more controversial has been – and is – the very description of the
enforced mass displacement, the ensuing deaths as well as the outright
killings of ethnic Armenians in 1915 under the Ottoman Empire. Even
though this happened before the creation of the new Turkish republic,
there has been unwillingness there to discuss these crimes. Writers
and journalists who raised the issue were brought to trial. Now,
the first steps towards recognising the facts have at long last been
taken – through academic discussions – but more needs to be done.
Atrocities in the past must be recognised, documented and learned
from – but not distorted or misused for political purposes."