The oppressor's reprieve

In the history of the world, no massacre or genocide has ever been stopped simply because it was "strongly condemned." Likewise, the phrase "never again" has been repeated countless times, only for similar tragedies to occur repeatedly. Those who want to understand the realism of the promises like "the criminals will surely be punished" should look at how the architects of many past and recent tragedies were treated.

These thoughts crossed my mind as I followed the recent UN General Assembly vote to declare the Srebrenica Genocide (1995) an international day of remembrance. The resolution was passed with 84 votes in favor, 19 against, and 68 abstentions. Serbia and Russia voting "no" was unsurprising, as were the similar votes from China and Syria for obvious reasons. However, seeing countries like Algeria, Bahrain, the UAE, Lebanon, Oman, and Sudan abstain pointed to significant international connections. In Central Asia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan abstained, while Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan did not participate, highlighting Russia's influence in the region.

Almost 30 years after the massacre of thousands of Muslims in the heart of Europe under the watch of "peacekeeping" soldiers, the "modern" world has left us with a ceremony to mark the "Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day." Meanwhile, it laid bare the geopolitical interests of various nations. As news of another massacre from Gaza arrived, Israel's occupation forces opened a new chapter in the ongoing genocide by bombing a refugee camp in Rafah, killing many innocent civilians in their sleep. The horrific attack that claimed numerous lives barely made the headlines before the world moved on. As genocide drags on, it becomes normalized, losing its "news value."

Make no mistake: one day, resolutions will be proposed to the UN General Assembly. Votes will be cast amid international rivalries, and the Israeli atrocities in Gaza will become a "day of remembrance." Future generations, while unable to prevent the tragedies of their time, will mark the atrocities we live through today with ceremonies and fiery speeches. The same fate awaits the current sufferings in Syria, Egypt, East Turkestan, and other regions, just like countless similar incidents in the past.

Everyone has the same questions:

Will this cycle ever be broken? Will massacres, genocides, and forced displacements always be witnessed passively, only to be commemorated once the risks have passed? Is it not possible to stop an atrocity as it happens?

From a Muslim perspective, viewing events through the lens of "sunnatullah" (the divine laws placed in human nature, societies, history, and geography, which never change), there are two complementary answers:

1. In divine distribution, oppressors are given a period of reprieve. The oppressor carries out his tyranny within this period, becoming a test for both himself and those he oppresses. This is why believers are taught to pray, "Do not make us a trial for the oppressors."

2. While the oppressor uses his reprieve, those who witness the oppression must organize with all their might to stop it. Every step taken to halt the oppressor shortens his period of reprieve, whereas doing nothing transfers the guilt and consequences of the oppression onto the passive spectators, consuming them as well.

History is essentially a struggle between oppressors and the oppressed. A glance through the pages of the past reveals that all scenarios follow these two principles. The key question for today is this:

With our actions or inactions, are we shortening or prolonging the oppressors' reprieve?