ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses two misconceptions about genocide and its denial. The first misconception involves (a) conceiving of genocide as a narrowly legal matter and (b) reducing its harmful scope to massacre or physical extermination. The second misconception relates to conceiving of denial as the “final stage” of genocide. These misconceptions are tackled by, first, engaging in a critical discussion of the concept of genocide and its broader significance and, second, defending the view that denial is a constant feature of the genocidal process. Spanning the preceding and execution phases, denial can even continue in genocide’s immediate and long-term aftermath and thereby constitute a long-term legacy. The chapter draws on the case of the Armenian genocide to substantiate the empirical claim that denial is a constant feature of the genocidal process. The Armenian genocide is an instance of historical failure to combat impunity in a genocide’s immediate aftermath, despite the genocide being proceeded by the first (albeit failed) attempt at international condemnation and prosecutions for “crimes against humanity”. This was also the 20th century’s first attempt at so-called transitional justice. The chapter ends by teasing out and motivating an epistemological analysis of genocide denialism and its pernicious implications.
