TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY .
An article by Jackie, Radio Free Brighton
David Cameron’s attempt to exploit the refugee crisis as a pretext for UK bombing of Syria is staggering in its cynicism and callousness. Especially considering the fact that Isis militants mostly congregate in heavily populated cities, UK bombing of Syria will inevitably lead to massive civilian casualties and many more refugees. The government is already killing people in Syria, despite having lost the parliamentary mandate to do this following the vote in the House of Commons in 2012.
Photo by Nilufer Demir/DHA/Reuters.
More than any other European country, Britain bears direct culpability for the current refugee crisis. It has, along with the United States, been the chief architect of the current Middle Eastern inferno of increasing hatred and endless war. Most of the refugees are fleeing from countries Britain has invaded or otherwise militarily destabilised in recent years: Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. Yet Britain is also among the EU countries with the lowest intake of refugees, and it imposes numerous restrictions and obstacles on people seeking refuge, breaking Article 14 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights which states that “everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution”. In August 2013 The Migrants’ Files project by European Press found that 30,000 refugees and migrants had died in their attempt to reach Europe since 2000.
Our humanity is bound up with the humanity of the refugees from UK wars
Refugees Welcome Here
National Demonstration
12 September | 2pm
Assemble Marble Arch | London
March to Downing Street
Organise events where you live
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The refugee crisis, Who is responsible?
How can there be a political solution to the war in Syria?
Readers’ comments are invited on this question and article. See below for comments box.
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Only one heart didn’t melt at the pictures of the three-year-old Syrian Kurdish boy’s dead body washed up on a Turkish beach: David Cameron’s. He responded by refusing to take anymore refugees. But he is still promising to try and make parliament agree to more bombing of Syria. This will only force more refugees to flee Syria. And then David Cameron will let them drown too.
The refugee crisis across Europe is growing worse by the day as thousands flee war and chaos.
Many have died in the most terrible circumstances, suffocating in lorries or drowning during dangerous crossings of the Mediterranean.
They are being treated terribly by many of the government’s of Europe, including our own. The majority of these refugees are the victims of war, many of them fleeing the disasterous conflict in Syria.
David Cameron’s statement yesterday aims to justify further war and bombing rather than helping the refugees. He is refusing to take any refugees in Britain, one of the world’s richest countries.
Stop the War has come together with many other organisations to call for a national demonstration in London. We are also urging our members, supporters and groups to take any action they can on that day where they live, alongside anti-racist and refugee groups.
Successive British governments have spent billions on wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, plus on covert intervention in Syria. The outcome has been destruction of infrastructure across the Middle East, the growth of terrorism in the region, and the displacement of millions.
Their only solution is further war, even though it is increasingly obvious that this option is only creating yet more chaos. Just as we oppose wars, we try to show solidarity with its victims.
Please do everything you can to support this day of solidarity with refugees. If you want any help or further information, please contact the Stop the War national office. Email: office@stopwar.org.uk | Tel: 020 7561 4830