(en) awsm.nz: Syrian People By LAMA
The outbreak of the Syrian civil war during the Arab Spring of 2011 has created the
biggest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War. Over 3 million have fled to
Syria's immediate neighbours Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. 6.5 million are internally
displaced within Syria. Only 150,000 refugees have been granted asylum in Europe. Yet,
from the way many governments from David Cameron's in the UK to the Australian government
have reacted, one would think Europe was being over-run by millions of refugees. The
British gutter press has demonized the people from Syria as migrants rather than as
refugees, implying they are going to Europe by choice rather than because of the
multifaceted sectarian bloodbath being fought there.
While these governments have reluctantly offered to resettle some people, they have only
allowed in an insignificant number so far. This has resulted in a rare display of direct
action-oriented people power, where thousands from Australia to Germany have spontaneously
offered to take in Syrians. When German and Austrian immigration laws were temporarily
relaxed on the weekend of September 5th & 6th, 2015, tens of thousands flocked into both
countries, where they were greeted by cheering crowds.
Even here in New Zealand the hashtag #doublethequota took off as the public called upon
Key to double the refugee quota so that people escaping Syria could be let in. At first,
he refused to increase the quota but spontaneous protests around the country and petitions
has seen them agree to take in an extra 750 over the next two years. However, as many
experts in the sector have noted, this is still very low compared to the potential number
that could be reasonably taken.
Let's be honest, a major prolonged conflict such as that in Syria is not easy for other
countries to deal with. As has often been the case in conflicts where large numbers of
refugees have been created, the burden has largely fallen on countries that can least
afford to look after them. It is estimated that 1.5 million Syrians are in Lebanon alone.
The presence of so many is stretching both Lebanese resources and infrastructure to
breaking point and inflaming already tense factional conflicts.
In Greece, which has been crippled by austerity, many islands have been overwhelmed by
large numbers of refugees travelling either straight from Syria or via Turkey. This has
put pressure on these places, many of which aren't much bigger than Waiheke Island or
Great Barrier Island, and created tensions between the islanders, the Greek authorities
and the Syrian refugees who all want something to be done.
In Italy, Greece and Hungary there are calls for the European Union to do something, such
as allowing more people into the countries that can support them or provide more resources
for them.
As the situation gets worse the uglier side of some is coming to the fore with some
British media commentators claiming many are 'fake refugees'. In Germany the BBC has
reported that anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic groups have been responsible for firebombing
centres where asylum seekers are living (BBC, July 30th) with 473 attacks by extreme-right
groups on foreigners being reported in 2013 alone (June 18th, 2014). The Hungarian
government has called in the army to close their border with Serbia and to build a fence
to stop the influx of those travelling from Greece to Hungary via Macedonia and Serbia.
That not everyone is welcoming towards others should come as no surprise. There tends to
be a range of reactions to such things and it is hardly surprising if politicians and
factions among the elites take advantage of others misfortune to whip up support for their
nationalist agendas. Fortunately as noted, they don't have it all their own way.
Like any civil war, the origins of the conflict in Syria are complex but in essence it
revolves around a combination of internal religious fragmentation, power politics, a
scramble for scarce resources and the interference of regional powers and their big power
backers as part of a global geo-political 'game'. While not much is straight forward in
such a scenario, one thing that should be, is the fact the problems were created partly
from actors outside the country itself. That's a starting point for saying that any
response to the refugee problem has to begin with an admission of responsibility by
outsiders. The problem is big so the response has to be widespread and co-ordinated.
New Zealand is a long way from the conflict but also has a role to play. It needs to scrap
its refugee quota and let as many refugees enter this country as it is practical to do so.
Refugees often make better immigrants because they appreciate what can happen when ethnic,
religious or political hatreds tear apart societies more than most people. They are also
less likely to be on welfare than any other group of migrants. Most importantly, refugees
often bring with them the skills, experiences and qualifications our society claims we
need. While it's true some will struggle to adapt, if they are able to stay and make a go
of it, they can do well. The second generation who grow up in a country can succeed
provided they do not face discrimination.
We are in sympathy with the ordinary people on the receiving end of the conflict.
Therefore we should be giving unconditional support to those who are fleeing state, ethnic
and sectarian hatred and be willing to do whatever we can to help. It doesn't have to be a
big gesture. Offering a room to somebody would be a simple way to help but it would make a
huge difference if followed up in practice and multiplied out across the population.
Hundreds of people who rallied outside Parliament on September 10 and hundreds more
on-line have stated they would open their homes to Syrian refugees if the government lets
them.
It's people power from the grassroots we should be getting behind. Will you?
http://www.awsm.nz/2015/09/24/syrian-people/
