The crisis in Syria has been going on for years. Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime has led to more than 400,000 deaths, millions fleeing for their lives, and hospitals and schools being reduced to rubble on a daily basis. A once developed and educated country is now a battleground where countless innocent people are condemned to suffering.
When a ceasefire was finally agreed, it signalled a glimmer of hope for those in Syria who had been forced to seek shelter from bombs and say goodbye to their loved ones. However, this fragile ceasefire was shattered in a disgraceful attack on a United Nations aid convoy carrying desperately needed humanitarian aid to the people of Aleppo, an attack with evidence pointing towards Russian responsibility. Syria now seems further from peace than ever.
It is important to be clear that a deliberate attack on innocent people is a war crime, and these have been all too commonplace under Assad and his allies. Napalm, chlorine gas, sarin. These are weapons that we have long thought consigned to the darkest annals of human history, but they are being used on the people of Syria in full view of an impotent international community.
Confusion is the natural consequence of any conflict. Confusion about who to blame, what can be done, and why it is continuing. But clarity is necessary, because misinformation is the driver of inaction. So let us be clear: the vast majority of civilian casualties in Syria are victims of Assad’s aggression against his own people. There has been global condemnation of his actions, yet his relentless bombing campaigns go on. This is partly due to Russia, whose global influence and responsibility as a UN Security Council member has been used to support Assad and veto any UN action.
So how can we overcome this impasse? It is natural to feel powerless in the face of such horror, but the knowledge of the ongoing atrocities must be our catalyst and drive us to action. The protection of civilians from aerial bombardment is the absolute priority, and while the possibility of a no-fly zone in Syria seems unlikely, it should not be taken off the table. We must protect the civilians of Syria at all costs, and do our utmost to salvage the ceasefire. We could be leading the way on tracking aircraft over Syria to hold aggressors to account for their gross actions. We can support the French initiative to order the International Criminal Court to investigate the actions of the Syrian regime and their Russian allies. Finally, the British government must support strong sanctions against Russia to show there are implications for its horrific actions.
I recognise the concerns of many that we must think through the consequences of our actions. But let us be clear: it is not just when we choose to act that the consequences of our actions must be accounted for, but also when we have the capacity to act and choose not to. When we choose to look away. That has consequences too.
The debate yesterday was a chance to focus attention back on Aleppo and the suffering in Syria. We must not waste more time in our efforts to bring relief to those who are calling out for our help.
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Alison McGovern MP is chair of Progress and co-chair of the Friends of Syria Group. She tweets @Alison_McGovern
Why do I find myself agreeing with almost everything Alison McGovern says ? Should I worry ?
I’ve read this article twice now and am no clearer on what is expected to result from the proposals. It seems we should:
– track aircraft over Syria to hold aggressors to account.
– order the ICC to investigate the actions of the Syrian regime.
– support strong sanctions against Russia.
I accept politicians need to be heard saying something but it may be wise to take her own advice and think through the consequences of these actions and whether they will change the situation in any way.
In this case I think the Shadow Foreign Secretary’s intervention is better judged. We need to work with Russia to establish a cease fire based on John Kerry’s work. And to condemn the terror groups operating in Syria as well as Assad.
Tory-lite solutions do not work. Look at Iraq and Libya!
I would suggest that the moral imperatives to something – anything, has been what has led to worse and worse situations than just doing nothing. Arguably this, ‘superior vision’ approach has put us in the current situation in Syria as it is now. The overriding lessons to be learnt from our must do imperatives is to be far, far, far more modest about what western governments can do to really help as opposed to making us feel better.
The only way to stop the horror is to create a no-fly zone. Experts are divided on a clash with Russia. I think Putin will back down. Why? Because he’s a bully and is only strong when faced with weakness. A typical secret policeman. (ex-KGB)