generalspeaking

Syrian Human Rights Violations? None, Obviously

"They came into the village in the afternoon and killed all the animals first and then set fire to the land. They then shot dead a 16-year-old boy and buried him." Syrian farmer, Mohammed Migdem

Oh. Is this the same Syria that enjoys such good standing within the United Nations Human Rights Council? Just asking. Can't help being curious, after all. Just getting all those little factoids together, that's all. Scratching my head just a mite, looking for justification. None exists? That just the way the world is? You're right!

Syrian army troops with their tanks and helicopter gunships buried the northern town of Jisr al-Shughour in the rubble of its destruction. The countryside was not spared; it is in ruin. Animals destroyed, crops burned, trees uprooted. And desperate townspeople and farmers hurtled themselves away from the coming carnage to avoid mass murder.

The border between Syria and Turkey has become the salvation of the refugees. Some of whom have just hovered on the border, without crossing, unwilling to leave behind their helpless animals. Perhaps waiting for others to catch up. Thousands have crossed into Turkey, to fill one, two, three and now a fourth refugee camp set up by the Red Crescent.

	Syrian refugees walking between tents at the Boynuyogun Turkish Red Crescent camp. Photo by: AFP

The regime would have it that the town was in the hands of terrorist groups. Bashar al-Assad, responsible for the welfare and well-being of his population has a moral obligation to obliterate danger from terrorists who seek to destabilize his country and violate peoples' human rights. And, defecting Syrian soldiers who claim that they refused to fire at the protesters and watched as their fellow defectors were shot in the back of the head by those loyal to the regime, lie.

The Arab League is silent. It will do nothing to support an intervention to save the lives of revolting Syrians. Somewhat similar to the African League which is silent on any condemnation of their erstwhile leader, the King of Kings in Libya. If a UN resolution is brought forward, no one anticipates that other Arab countries will involve themselves. Turkey will not. Although it has taken in refugees temporarily, the situation does not please Turkey.

Prime Minister Erdogan expresses dismay at the situation, but is somewhat nervous about the prospects, however unlikely, that Turkish Kurds may feel inspired to become restive once again, to demand consideration for separation, for a homeland for the Kurds; which would of necessity bring into conflict Iraq and Iran and Turkey with Kurdish aspirations. That the Kurds represent the largest ethnic group sans a country of their own is of no moment; losing territory is.

And Turkey has other concerns as well, encouraging the Turkish Islamist group IHH to get on with its plans for the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2", headed by the Mavi Marmara. While the IHH concerns itself with further damaging Israel's international reputation, it does Turkey's bidding. For Mr. Erdogan has also blamed Israel for backing his opposition, crowing that he has won re-election with 50% of the popular vote.

Syria's problem with protesters is ill-timed and inconvenient, however. Turkey's investments in Syria, and Syrian tourism in Turkey must continue unimpeded. It is indeed fortunate that the world, looking on, champions the Gaza blockade-busting flotilla, and overlooks Syria's clamp-down on its revolting citizens, for obviously it is Israel whose human rights violations must be condemned.

None exist of any note in the Muslim world.

Labels: Conflict, Middle East, Political Realities

posted by Pieface @ Monday, June 13, 2011