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From Hate to Extermination: Genocide Step by Step by Kateryna Kyrychenko

Human nature is a big mystery. Out of more than 7,6 billion people living in the world, the majority is trying to behave in a humane way. Yet, there are repeated cases of extreme violations of human rights all over the world. There are real people taking part in planning, organizing, and executing the most horrid atrocities. In the 20-th century, there have been over 20(!)genocides. How come mankind does not learn from its mistakes and lets genocides happen? 


Never again - commemoration monument in Treblinka

Each genocide has the same stages and the very first ones might seem very minor. It all starts with a change in language: the implementation of offensive terms and conflictful language towards the targeted group. Here populism usually adds fuel to the fire. What usually happens next is the change of laws in order to discriminate against the potential victims in any possible way and to deprive them of rights and freedoms. The next stage implies dehumanization of the targeted group. It can take place in different ways, such as verbal and legal mockery and public harassment (verbal or physical). Adding strong propaganda and mass media polarizing society, a very fertile background for annihilation is created. After this comes the stage of planning, organization and preparation (ideology, technology, and logistics). At this point the targeted group is not considered as human, they are looked at as the object of hate and contempt. This is the moment of no return where it is almost impossible to prevent genocide from happening. 

After the genocide actually takes place, there is always silence and denial that follow. The perpetrators are trying to hide or destroy all evidence to avoid punishment. This stage, in my opinion, is the most dangerous. If we as humanity don't know about the genocide and/or stay silent about it, we are very likely to let it happen again. Undoubtedly, it is not an easy thing to talk about, but it is our duty as human beings to find the language and to break the silence. 

Monuments in the former Nazi death camp in Treblinka

My personal perception of the genocide has changed very much due to the HIA fellowship. Previously, I encountered such topics only during my studies as historical examples of what can happen in the most extreme cases of human rights violations. Although I realized how tragic and awful those atrocities were, I could never really understand why it was important for me personally. My thoughts changed during our HIA group visit to the former Nazi death camp in Treblinka. I was going there expecting to see something awful: scary buildings, shocking pictures, sad evidence of the past events that happened there. In reality, I saw nothing. There was a peaceful forest and very beautiful nature around: a perfect place to have a day trip on the weekend, for example. If I didn’t know what happened at that place 70 years ago, I would be able to tell. When the Nazis were leaving Treblinka, they ruined the camp completely. There was literally nothing left; all the evidence was gone. To tell the truth, my first impression when seeing the place, was disappointment: I did not see any of the shocking things I had imagined. However, after spending a few hours in Treblinka, walking between the monuments and reflecting on things, very different thoughts came into my head. I got frightened. Not because of the physical things I saw, but because of the realization that it is so easy to erase the history and to hide the place where mass murder of 900 000 Jews happened. That is why it is so important to remember. 

Raising awareness, educating ourselves and others – these are the basic steps anyone can take (or, rather, MUST take) in order to make sure that a genocide will not happen once more. Knowing and remembering our history can help us improve our future. 

Behind the bars of the museum in Treblinka

It is also important to remember that these tragic events in world history do concern all people. Shame has no nationality. It is everyone's common obligation to prevent genocides from happening in the future. The human mind always works in such a way that it is easier for us to put the responsibility on somebody else's shoulders and to choose inaction in spite of action. I would suggest trying to change this way of thinking together. Human nature is a big mystery. Maybe we can finally remember how to learn from our mistakes in the past?

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Kateryna Kyrychenko was born in Ukraine, Kiev. Due to his parents, she started learning English when I was 3 years old, and French when she was 5. Later she also studied Latin, Lithuanian, German and Spanish. In 2011 she entered Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv to study Law. In 2017 she finished her Master's programme in Human Rights. It was a double-diploma programme between two universities - Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine) and Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania). During these studies she also spent 1 semester in Lyon, France, through Erasmus+ mobility program. After that she decided to devote some time to volunteering: she went to Vietnam for 6 months to participate in an educational project. She was teaching English to children in small towns in Vietnam. Kate is currently back in Ukraine, starting her e-commerce business and also participating in social initiatives and volunteer projects which concern her spheres of interest.

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