Act in Syria, not wait to offer belated apology

A holocaust is being perpetrated by the ruling regime in Syria. 

An American scholar, and expert in Arab affairs, Robert Satloff, published last week in the Washington Post a comparative study between what the Nazis did in 1941 to 6 million Jews and what Bashar Assad is doing now in Syria, where more than 300,000 have been killed, one third civilians, and more than 50 per cent of the population, roughly 11 million, became refugees or displaced.

What the plight of the Syrians now and the killing of Jews then have in common is the total indifference of the world public opinion and lack of action by the political leaders.

But what is the secret formula that can make the world consciousness get out of its deep lethargic slumber and realise the magnitude of atrocities being committed daily?

What sort of a shock therapy is required to jolt back into action Europeans and make them act in defence of human rights, the main topic of hundreds of lectures delivered by the European Union representatives visiting our region?

What happened to the ethical values and civilised criteria that the First World envoys used to boast about and advocate to Arabs and Muslims in this region?

Mass atrocities were committed in Ghouta-Damascus in August 2013, when nearly 1,700 were killed, including children. Neither the EU nor the Arab states came to help the Syrians in their plight.

Apathy and lack of action was the rule of the day then for many heads of Arab and world leaders.

Some American Jewish leaders identified with the Syrians in their miseries and sufferings. In June 2012, the Washington-based Holocaust Memorial Museum issued an appeal to all nations to take prompt action to uphold their responsibilities to stop the potential for genocidal acts and “protect groups and individuals targeted by the Syrian regime”.

Former US president Bill Clinton visited the African republic of Rwanda and issued a public apology to the people for his country’s indifference and lack of action in July 1994, when nearly 1 million citizens were killed in atrocities, while he was the US president.

Recent developments in Hama should not have to wait for world leaders to issue an official apology years from now. There is an urgent need for solidarity against the Russian bombardment and the mass slaughter by the Iranian Al Quds Brigades, Lebanese Hizbollah fighters, Iraqi Fatimieen militias and Pakistani Zeinabyoon guerrilla experts.