Today’s bloodshed will plant the seeds for tomorrow’s Freedom – let this be the hope that motivates us all

For more than two years we have been watching (comfortably on our couch) Rebellion in Syria. People’s protests which became armed and violent rebellion. Protests that were started by the people. They asked for free will, jobs, basic civil rights. They protest against their president, Bashar Hafez al-Assad, who they accuse of corruption, of not keeping the promises previous made, of preventing his people from speaking their minds.

In between there is the unexplained murder of Lebanon’s ex-Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, who gained popularity due to his attempts to mediate conflicts. United Nations blamed Syria’s government for this death. You could also mention all the historical details which mark the social calamity in which Syria lives a long time. Too long. Several weeks would not suffice.

Bashar Hafez al-Assad’s armies are accused of crimes against humanity and the people want the president to leave. He refuses to do so and he will continue to take actions against the population. He claims he will run for president again in 2014. This is basic information, accessible to any of us. Draw your own conclusions with a deeper research.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, approved in 1948, represents the recognition of human life dignity and equal rights. It was signed by member countries of the United Nations, an organization to which Syria, yes Syria, belongs as a founding member.

It’s advisable that everyone reads this Declaration. In Article 1 you can read: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” Further, in Article 19, you can also read that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” Read it, please. It is a valuable document. How could Syria have approved it?!

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights seems to be valid nowhere else but the Western countries.

Syria is just another example of the dozens of countries which do not respect the human condition in any possible way. Religion, politics (or the lack of it) cannot be an excuse to the slaughter everyone is testifying. Dictators who use their power to oppress their people. I believe it's common sense that these abusive situations should not be happening anymore. Human life is supposed to be precious, not only in Western countries but also in the East!

Western people are very critical about what should be done to stop the decimation (or should I say genocide?) or who should take the first step.

There are people shouting at the top of their lungs: “leave Syria alone!” – of course we will! For killing hundreds of innocent people every single day is, by far, the best solution! Some stand for a quick and brutal intervention, one capable of stopping the Syrian civil war, from the USA -the usual suspect. The one nation that made its  point about the hideous situation in the East.

Chemical weapon attacks or any other type of human life decimation must come to an end. Western countries cannot watch it without taking any action against the perpetrators of such crimes.

Today, Barack Obama, assumed the intention of taking action against Syrian government. Millions of voices opposed to him and criticized the fact that a Nobel Prize laureate is considering to authorize a “war”. That honouring prize was precisely the recognition of his efforts and struggle against nuclear chemical weapons; his struggle to persuade nations worldwide to cooperate with each other without major conflicts.

Today, this man defended that strength should be used in order to stop the injustice that is happening in plain sight. This is the same man who desires peace, yes, and because of that cannot be indifferent to what’s happening in Syria. Unfortunately, words are not enough anymore to reach Syrian government, once they refuse to listen even to their own people.

If we firmly declare that no “war” or military action shall be taken against Syria from USA and its allies, then we are taking part in this massacre. Words of peace aren’t music to dictators ears. Don’t let yourselves be fooled, have no illusions.

I believe that, despite the present circumstances in Iraq, maybe in thirty years from now they will be able to live in peace, in democracy. It’s a long time to wait, I’m aware of that. Too much blood spilled, I know that. But if people don’t have the guts to change the course of destiny in these countries today, “tomorrow” will never come to them.

I respect each and every single opinion, though I can’t help but pose the question: is there any peaceful way of preventing attacks from Syrian government against their own people?

I take my chance, but I assume it: today’s bloodshed will plant the seeds for tomorrow’s Freedom.

JB

(translated by Aida Batalha Twitter @Aida_Batalha)