In the past 70 years, the term genocide has become cemented in popular
and legal discourse. Its origins lie in the aftermath of the Second
World War and promises of “never again”, even though as Rwanda,
Yugoslavia, and Cambodia have shown us, genocide has happened “again and
again”. You will find few who disagree that denying or trivialising
such atrocities is inappropriate and criminal. Yet in Europe, the
Holocaust, the very reason for the creation of the term genocide as well
as numerous cultural and political institutions mandated to prevent
such violence, is distinct from other genocides in law. Read more about
this on www.democraticunion.eu
Memorial
to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Berlin. The special place the Holocaust
holds in Europe’s collective memory is also reflected in European
judicature.