Auschwitz

[…] another dimension of the Holocaust: "What could happen on such a scale can happen again anywhere. It is within the realm of human possibility – Auschwitz, whether we like it or not, has expanded human consciousness by as decisive a step as the landing on the moon." (Kren & Rappoport 1980, p. 126 and 143.)

A horrifying notion, since the social conditions for Auschwitz have not actually disappeared. No effective steps have been taken to prevent the potential and in principle possible repetition of an Auschwitz-like catastrophe. Leo Kuper recently wrote that "sovereign nation states can, if they wish, extend their sovereignty to the perpetration of Genocide, massacres against certain ethnic groups and their national people … and the UN even defends this right." (Kuper 1981, p. 161.)