For over a century, Armenians have echoed the words Never Again—a solemn vow that the horrors of the Armenian Genocide would never be repeated. Yet, in 2023, history repeated itself in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), where Azerbaijan carried out ethnic cleansing against the indigenous Armenian population, forcing 120,000 people to flee their ancestral homeland.
The international community, just as in 1915, remained largely silent. This stark repetition of history underscores why raising awareness through institutions like the Armenian Genocide Museum of Canada (AGMC) is more crucial than ever. The lessons of the past must not only be remembered but also acted upon to prevent such atrocities from happening again.
The Armenian Genocide: A Blueprint for Future Atrocities
In 1915, the Ottoman Empire, led by the Young Turk regime, orchestrated the systematic extermination of Armenians. Over 1.5 million Armenians were massacred, with survivors enduring forced marches, starvation, and enslavement. This was the first modern Genocide of the 20th century—one that Adolf Hitler infamously cited when justifying his own crimes, asking, “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?”
Despite overwhelming evidence, Turkey continues to deny the Genocide, bolstered by geopolitical interests that prioritize diplomatic relations over justice. This denial has had dire consequences. When the world allows one Genocide to be erased from history, it paves the way for future atrocities—such as the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Artsakh.
2023: The Genocide in Artsakh
More than a century after the Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijan—fully backed by Turkey—waged a campaign of starvation, siege, and military aggression against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). The region had been home to Armenians for millennia, yet under the guise of territorial disputes, Azerbaijan launched an assault that forced the entire Armenian population to flee within days.
This was not a conflict—it was Genocide.
For nine months, Azerbaijan imposed an illegal blockade on Artsakh, cutting off food, medicine, and essential supplies. Despite calls from humanitarian organizations, the international community largely ignored the crisis. Then, in September 2023, Azerbaijani forces launched a full-scale attack on the starving population, driving out the remaining Armenians and destroying their cultural and religious heritage.
The scenes from 2023 echoed those of 1915. Once again, Armenians were displaced from their historic lands, their homes burned, their churches desecrated, their history erased. The perpetrators faced no real consequences, emboldening them to continue their crimes.
Why Museums Like the AGMC Matter
The Armenian Genocide Museum of Canada (AGMC) and similar institutions worldwide play a critical role in educating the public about these crimes against humanity. Museums do not just preserve history—they fight against denial and work to ensure that Never Again is not just an empty phrase.
Genocide denial is not just an insult to the victims—it is a strategy for future perpetrators. By acknowledging the Genocide and raising awareness about its ongoing consequences, we hold those responsible accountable and prevent history from repeating itself.
The Responsibility of the Global Community
The Armenian Genocide of 1915 and the Genocide in Artsakh in 2023 are not isolated events. They are part of a pattern—one that will continue unless the world takes action. The international community must recognize Azerbaijan’s actions for what they are: ethnic cleansing and Genocide. Governments must impose sanctions, hold war criminals accountable, and ensure the safe return of displaced Armenians.
Until the world listens, Never Again will remain a broken promise.