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At the Jan. 27 ceremonies for the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the prevalent reaction was “never again.” And yet we still continue to see genocide occurring today, most notably in Darfur, Sudan.

The systematic annihilation and displacement of millions of Sudanese in Darfur is nothing less than a part of the repetitious cycle of systematic genocide that continues to haunt the world community to this day.

How can today’s governments stand by while groups of people in the world are subject to targeted extinction policies? How can the United States send its sons and daughters into battle exclaiming that democracy and freedom in Iraq are worth their lives, yet ignore those very same principles in another situation?

Darfur demands a similar sacrifice, but the determination of engagement is conspicuously absent when addressing this crisis.

Over 1.5 million Armenians were systematically executed, raped and deported by the Ottoman Empire in what is acknowledged as one of the first genocides of the 20th century. Volumes of academic research on the subject are accompanied by acknowledgments by genocide scholar societies as well as proclamations by numerous countries and state governments.

But the United States, a country that continually unfurls the banner of ethical and moral values to justify the pursuit of domestic as well as foreign policy agendas, has yet to come to terms with the Armenian Genocide and join the world in admitting, let alone seeking justice for, this crime against humanity.

Instead, in deference to the Republic of Turkey, an alleged “strategic partner and NATO ally,” according to the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United States has avoided facing the Armenian Genocide.

The threats of limited access to NATO bases and the loss of military or other business contracts is apparently enough for the United States to drop the ethical banner in this particular case and pick up the pennant of obscure “national interests” excuses.

Until there is an equitable pursuit of justice, we are left to fight not one battle, but two. Not only must we fight to prevent crimes against humanity, but we must also fight the denial of such crimes. In doing so we can ensure that we are combating the recurring cycle of genocides.

The citizens in Darfur cry for their justice. Their government has failed to protect their lives, families and homes, but instead has instigated or even organized those responsible for murdering and dislocating them.

For nearly 90 years, successive Turkish governments have actively denied the Armenian Genocide. It is their hope to absolve themselves of any punitive measures that are a natural part of the process of justice for this crime.

Because the Turkish government has not been held accountable for its crimes against humanity in the past, the government has been able to continue human rights abuses into the present day. It stifles the lives and tramples on the rights of its minorities.

Turkey is noted for having some of the highest numbers of imprisoned journalists, and it continually strikes down – via legal or brute tactics – those who question the fallibility of the state. The Turkish government wants to intimidate its own citizens into silence or self-censorship on issues like the Armenian Genocide.

The world continues to turn a blind eye out of convenience and enables this behavior of the Turkish government, facilitating what I call the “Campaign of Silence.”

When the United States and governments worldwide behave in such a manner, is it any wonder why “never again” sounds so hollow? Is it any wonder that after 1915, there was a 1938? Is it any wonder that the Armenians were followed by Cambodians, Rwandans and now the citizens of Darfur?

The silence continues today because we as human beings have not come to terms with our past. We have turned the other cheek because it is easier than seeking justice.

Adolf Hitler proclaimed to the Nazi Army before invading Poland, “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?” Will we finally learn to consistently apply American values to our national interests – recognizing everyone’s rights to a pursuit of happiness, freedom and self-determination?

Or will the next genocidal government say, “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the people of Darfur?”

Kassabian is a fourth-year political science and communication studies student.