https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/15/middleeast/syria-anniversary-damon-analysis-intl/index.html
March 15th, 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the Syrian civil war.
“When I close my eyes, I can still hear the excitement in protesters' voices during the early days of the uprising a decade ago. How full of hope they were, how utterly convinced that, if they just hung in there long enough, there would be change. Surely, they thought, if world powers saw their suffering, something would be done.”
In 2011, successful uprisings against totalitarian regimes, known as the Arab Springs, inspired Syrian’s oppressed civilians. After 15 Syrian boys were detained for supporting the Arab Springs, peaceful protests against Syria’s totalitarian regime emerged in Syria as well. Civilians were “full of hope” and “utterly convinced” that they could end their suffering soon too; evidently, that was not the case. Days after the protests started, Syria’s totalitarian regime, led by Bashar al-Assad, violently reacted and killed hundreds of protesters and detained more. In June of 2011, the Free Syria Army, a rebel group determined to overthrow the government, was formed. Since then, the conflict between rebels and the Syrian government has devastated the country and its civilians. In these 10 years, the Syrian civil war has revealed the sectarian conflict between the Sunni majority and the Alawite minority (Pres. Assad is apart of the Alawite minority). Additionally, the conflict has involved various other countries and become a complex proxy war.
The Syrian civil war has destroyed the lives of civilians, causing countless to flee and seek refugee in other countries; the number of refugees has overwhelmed countries, and thus, the Syrian civil war has led to the Syrian refugee crisis. I was given the chance to represent Greece for the Syrian refugee crisis at a Model UN conference. When first researching the topic, I was appalled by the state of the civilians and the refugees, and heartbroken to hear the stories.
“I wish world leaders could meet 13-year-old Renad... A few years later, she lost her leg as was playing hide-and-seek by her front door. Her family hadn't known that mines were daisy chained along the walls of their home.”
The extent of the crisis made me assume that the world powers were making every effort to put an end to the suffering of civilians. The UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi even considered the crisis the “biggest humanitarian refugee crisis of our time, a continuing cause for suffering.” Instead, I found that in many countries, the opposite was happening. Greece, among other countries, could not sustain the flow of refugees, and according to Amnesty, has responded with a “package of inhumane measures that violate EU and international law. Security forces have been firing tear gas and repelling dinghies trying to reach Greece’s shores.” Additionally, European leaders have openly supported Greece’s actions and called Greece a “shield” to refugees entering Europe. Of course, I can understand why countries would prioritize themselves first. Supporting refugees will inevitably take a toll on the country, however, this crisis cannot be ignored.
The 10th anniversary of the start of this conflict should be a reminder that civilians have been living in fear and are fleeing their devastated homes, only to be greeted by even more hostile treatment. “We stare at children who have known nothing but war for a decade now.”
“I wish decision-makers could for one minute experience the fear of seeing fighter jets overhead. A bombing sucks the air out of your body. To watch people flee, barefoot children freeze, the trauma engulfing their faces, suffocates you with emotion.”
Discussion questions:
How can countries be incentivized to take in more refugees?
When is refusing to accept refugees justified?
Other Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2021/03/15/976352794/syrias-civil-war-started-a-decade-ago-heres-where-it-stands
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/4/14/syrias-war-explained-from-the-beginning
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/03/greece-turkey-refugees-explainer/
Interestingly, accepting refugees does actually benefit countries in the long term, which means that there already is some incentive there. But, it is understandable if a country doesn't want to because the initial cost of accepting them is high. The larger issue though I would believe is the prejudice that often leads people to make these unjust decisions. Just like how America has always been racist against foreigners, and more similarly how Jewish people escaping from Nazi Germany couldn't find a home to stay because countries would turn them away. I suppose IGO's and NGO's could and probably do play a big role in this, as international cooperation is necessary, as it's impossible for one country to try to take in all the refugees. Individually incentivizing one's own country is quite hard. - Andre W
ReplyDeleteI dont think countrys should refuse to accept refugees, because they need a home and somewhere to go. I guess I understand if a country is hessitant to accept refuges but a country should not be prejudice against them
ReplyDeleteTaking in refugees can make a nation look better, and it can help nations improve and expand their workforce. Refusing refugees is acceptable if the nation is unable to provide for them, leading to the conditions in the new nation being no better than the one that they left. Racism and prejudice is also a problem for refugees, and if the nation taking them in has this problem, it is better for the refugees to go elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI don't technically agree with the fact that we need to guilt trip all countries into taking in refugees. If the refugees became refugees because of such countries, definitely they should take the responsibility. However, they often find the excuse of like having too many citizens and lacking supplies and money to supply the refugees. I mean, if you destroyed their homes, you should take them in. But I personally don't think we should force a country that has nothing to do with it to take in refugees if they seriously can't supply them well.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that countries should always try to take in refugees, but I do understand how countries might refuse to take any in when they are simply overwhelmed by the sheer amount or are in a bad position with the nation that the refugees are fleeing from and can't protect their own country in cases of war.
ReplyDeleteRefusing to accept refugees is justified when a country is not a good position themselves, when they have their own problems to face with. It is also justified if a country has already taken in a lot of refugees and has done more than enough to help this problem. Countries that have contributed to this problem and have already taken in thousand of refugees can refuse to take in any more. However, countries that are doing really good and are successful and have not yet taken in any refugees should do their fare share and take some in.
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