The Road To Damascus
“To remain silent and
indifferent is the greatest sin of all.”-Elie Wiesel
We live in dangerous times. Evil is everywhere and what is considered a threat for one government is considered as a means of survival for another regime. In spite of legally binding international treaties and conventions the world has witnessed at least two instances of what experts estimate to be chemical warfare since the start of 2018. The first such case occurred in England and most recent one was in Syria. It can be debated that the attack in England was the first chemical warfare in post World War 2 Europe in which a former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned in Britain’s southwestern city Salisbury England. The more recent nerve agent attack occurred in the Middle East, more specifically in Syria where the ongoing civil war has all but brought this country to her knees under the repressive regime of President Assad who is supported by both Russia and Iran. The unmistakably fact is the use of chemical weapons is banned in war under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), formally, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction. The CWC was adopted by the United Nations (UN) Conference on Disarmament on September 3, 1992 and became into force on April 29, 1997. In Article 11 of the CWC, chemical weapons are defined as all toxic chemicals intended for wartime use, which includes not only the finished weapons but also their chemical precursors, munitions, delivery devices, and any other equipment designed for wartime use. The aim of the CWC is total chemical weapons disarmament. Signatory states possessing chemical weapons once ratifying the convention must destroy all chemical weapons and such facilities.
Unfortunately, on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 Russia used its veto power to block an extension of efforts of international inspectors to determine those responsible for chemical weapons attacks which have killed scores of civilians in Douma City, East Ghouta, Syria. It has been reported that at least 42 people were killed and more than 500 injured in this latest chemical attack which occurred late Saturday in Douma, a suburb of Damascus. According to a statement from the World Health Organization (WHO), during the shelling of Douma on Saturday, an estimated 500 patients presented to health facilities exhibited signs and symptoms consistent to exposure to toxic chemicals. In particular, there were signs of severe irritations of mucous membranes, respiratory failure and disruption to central nervous systems.
Russia, as one of five permanent members of the United Nations has the privilege of a veto which can be used to hinder the progress of any resolution. The other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are the United States, France, China and the United Kingdom. It can be argued that this is one way in which the legitimacy of the United Nations has been eroded over the years. If Russia is so confident that the Assad regime is not responsible for the chemical attack in Douma why then continue to veto efforts to get in independent experts to do the necessary tests which undoubtedly will clear the matter up. The Syrian civil war began in March of 2011 in the southern city of Deraa after the arrest and torture of some teenagers who painted revolutionary slogans on a school wall. The unrest triggered nationwide protest demanding that President who inherited the position from his father resign. According to some estimates more than 250,000 Syrians have been killed and more than 11 million have had to fled their homes. After seven years of fighting it seems that President Bashar al- Assad is on the verge on victory thanks to the support of his loyal friends Iran and Russia.
United Nations Less Relevant
We have seen the United Nations becoming less and less relevant over the years as wars continue to rage and nations continue to flout international law and their relationships. Consequently, we have witnessed more and more piranha states becoming embolden since such nation states are very much aware that the chances of them being held accountable for committing such grave actions of crimes against humanity is miniscule. There is clear vacuum of leadership regarding decency, international law and order. The inaction of those who should provide leadership does not lessen such a responsibility and does not make the world any safer. What is required in 2018 in the face of evil is bold and responsibility leadership. The United Nations Security Council, as well as the wider international community has failed miserably the innocent women, children and men who are at the mercy of despots who will go to any lengths to ensure the survival of their blood stained legacy. In the words of Simon Wiesenthal, justice for crimes against humanity must have no limitations.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
We live in dangerous times. Evil is everywhere and what is considered a threat for one government is considered as a means of survival for another regime. In spite of legally binding international treaties and conventions the world has witnessed at least two instances of what experts estimate to be chemical warfare since the start of 2018. The first such case occurred in England and most recent one was in Syria. It can be debated that the attack in England was the first chemical warfare in post World War 2 Europe in which a former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned in Britain’s southwestern city Salisbury England. The more recent nerve agent attack occurred in the Middle East, more specifically in Syria where the ongoing civil war has all but brought this country to her knees under the repressive regime of President Assad who is supported by both Russia and Iran. The unmistakably fact is the use of chemical weapons is banned in war under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), formally, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction. The CWC was adopted by the United Nations (UN) Conference on Disarmament on September 3, 1992 and became into force on April 29, 1997. In Article 11 of the CWC, chemical weapons are defined as all toxic chemicals intended for wartime use, which includes not only the finished weapons but also their chemical precursors, munitions, delivery devices, and any other equipment designed for wartime use. The aim of the CWC is total chemical weapons disarmament. Signatory states possessing chemical weapons once ratifying the convention must destroy all chemical weapons and such facilities.
Unfortunately, on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 Russia used its veto power to block an extension of efforts of international inspectors to determine those responsible for chemical weapons attacks which have killed scores of civilians in Douma City, East Ghouta, Syria. It has been reported that at least 42 people were killed and more than 500 injured in this latest chemical attack which occurred late Saturday in Douma, a suburb of Damascus. According to a statement from the World Health Organization (WHO), during the shelling of Douma on Saturday, an estimated 500 patients presented to health facilities exhibited signs and symptoms consistent to exposure to toxic chemicals. In particular, there were signs of severe irritations of mucous membranes, respiratory failure and disruption to central nervous systems.
Russia, as one of five permanent members of the United Nations has the privilege of a veto which can be used to hinder the progress of any resolution. The other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are the United States, France, China and the United Kingdom. It can be argued that this is one way in which the legitimacy of the United Nations has been eroded over the years. If Russia is so confident that the Assad regime is not responsible for the chemical attack in Douma why then continue to veto efforts to get in independent experts to do the necessary tests which undoubtedly will clear the matter up. The Syrian civil war began in March of 2011 in the southern city of Deraa after the arrest and torture of some teenagers who painted revolutionary slogans on a school wall. The unrest triggered nationwide protest demanding that President who inherited the position from his father resign. According to some estimates more than 250,000 Syrians have been killed and more than 11 million have had to fled their homes. After seven years of fighting it seems that President Bashar al- Assad is on the verge on victory thanks to the support of his loyal friends Iran and Russia.
United Nations Less Relevant
We have seen the United Nations becoming less and less relevant over the years as wars continue to rage and nations continue to flout international law and their relationships. Consequently, we have witnessed more and more piranha states becoming embolden since such nation states are very much aware that the chances of them being held accountable for committing such grave actions of crimes against humanity is miniscule. There is clear vacuum of leadership regarding decency, international law and order. The inaction of those who should provide leadership does not lessen such a responsibility and does not make the world any safer. What is required in 2018 in the face of evil is bold and responsibility leadership. The United Nations Security Council, as well as the wider international community has failed miserably the innocent women, children and men who are at the mercy of despots who will go to any lengths to ensure the survival of their blood stained legacy. In the words of Simon Wiesenthal, justice for crimes against humanity must have no limitations.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
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