Recent happenings in international circles compel me to share these few thoughts of mine with you. As you might as well be aware, the world is currently facing its worst refugee crisis in decades. People from different parts: Syria, Libya, Somalia, and I am ashamed to add, Nigeria, to mention but a few, are fleeing to Europe in search of a better life, away from the misery of conflict, persecution and poverty that are now the common trademarks of everyday life in their home countries. The situation in some of these countries is now so bad that you cannot even begin to appreciate it if you have not begun to imagine what can make a people choose to undertake the perilous trip across turbulent waters to Europe in cramped unsafe boats! It is estimated that some 2000 refugees or more have died in the Mediterranean this year alone trying to reach Europe! Which brings me to the crux of the matter.
It is troubling enough that people have to do this to save their lives even though some sadly end up perishing in the sea. But what I find even more disturbing is the response of some European nations to this crisis, which to me has been outright shameful and scandalous. How can nations that pride themselves on their respect for human rights and commitment to democracy turn their backs on vulnerable groups, including women and children? With the exception of countries like Serbia, Italy, Germany, and Greece that are offering whatever assistance they can, some like Britain have remained unmoved by the situation. In Macedonia, the situation is even much worse with refugees being made to relive their grim experiences back home as Macedonian police fire tear gas and stun grenades to repel them.
While it may not be necessary to remind Europe of the part they played in bringing about many of today's failed states, it is important for them to know that in today's globalized world the greatest mistake we can ever make is failing to see ourselves in others. Because in the end, when all else is lost, what we have left to us is our common humanity.
It is troubling enough that people have to do this to save their lives even though some sadly end up perishing in the sea. But what I find even more disturbing is the response of some European nations to this crisis, which to me has been outright shameful and scandalous. How can nations that pride themselves on their respect for human rights and commitment to democracy turn their backs on vulnerable groups, including women and children? With the exception of countries like Serbia, Italy, Germany, and Greece that are offering whatever assistance they can, some like Britain have remained unmoved by the situation. In Macedonia, the situation is even much worse with refugees being made to relive their grim experiences back home as Macedonian police fire tear gas and stun grenades to repel them.
While it may not be necessary to remind Europe of the part they played in bringing about many of today's failed states, it is important for them to know that in today's globalized world the greatest mistake we can ever make is failing to see ourselves in others. Because in the end, when all else is lost, what we have left to us is our common humanity.
(First published on my Facebook wall, 22nd August, 2015).
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