Saturday, August 31, 2013

Syria: It Should Be About Saving Lives

Syria has been hurting for over a year. Something that initially looked like Arab uprising, eventually turned into civil war. Many human rights activists have been begging for some concrete intervention from the international community. However, unfortunately the international community that can take any action is usually led by their political agendas.

In conversations for protecting human rights and dignity, I miss active participation and guidance of humanitarian workers. Well respected religious leaders too should be brought in to explore solutions. Yes, they may not bring political power but they may bring humanitarian insights that would lead to more compassionate action.

I understand that behaviors have consequences and one should be ready for them. So, I agree Syrian regime should face consequences for not being able to protect well-being and dignity of its people and conversely, in many cases torturing and killing them. President Assad, I am neutral to your political agenda but I have to say, it was your obligation to protect each of one of those children who were killed ruthlessly. Please assume your responsibility towards your fellow countrymen. Please don't go so far that you can't ever come back!

International community, please take action because enough statements have been made. The reason for your action is to save peoples' lives and so the goal of your actions should be to save peoples lives not to destroy them. In simple words, a war may not protect people. Can we send UN peace forces to stop the violence ground? Can we put substantial resources for increasing numbers of refugees to support the neighboring countries until this conflict is resolved diplomatically? Can we enhance the quality of those in the refugee camps? Let's make it about protecting people not killing more.

Photo: http://www.osundefender.org/?p=55031

Yes, war seems to be a quick and customary answer to stop this barbarism but I am convinced there are compassionate and humanitarian strategies that can be explored and implemented to protect human life and dignity in Syria.

Where are all the humanitarian leaders?
Where are well-wishers of masses?
Where are the religious preachers?
Where are those who represent all classes?

When families are suffering,
When people are ruthlessly killing,
When people are helplessly dying,
When all news sources, the story of injustice, telling

Is war the only answer?
Is love loosing its power?
Can we not stop the 'violence monster'?
Right action is the need of the hour! 

Leaders of the world speak up!
Humanitarian community, speak up!
Against injustice and barbarism, speak up!
Prevent the situation from worsening, speak up!

What if it was your child who was gassed?
What if the oppressor walked into your home?
What if your dignity was harassed?
How would you fight it all alone?

Let lust for power be transformed to sanity!
Support those who are now living as refugees in poverty!
Through novelty, protect human dignity!
Nations of the world, come together in the name of humanity!

I am not OK

I am writing this on behalf of thousands of people, particularly the humanitarian workers around the world, who are not perfectly ok. Many o...