The abysmal response of Europe to the plight of refugees fleeing from war-torn Syria brings to mind the oft-repeated story of a visit to Europe by India’s Mahatma Gandhi, during which he was asked: “What do you think of western civilisation?” He replied dryly: “I think it would be a very good idea.”
The arrogant declarations about western, European values are tragically exposed as a sham in the case of the majority of EU countries that are refusing to take any of the estimated 2.3 million people who have fled the Syrian civil war.
Amnesty International says European leaders should “hang their heads in shame” over the “pitifully low” number of places being offered to refugees from Syria. And the 10 EU countries that have agreed to take some 12,000 Syrian refugees – a number that includes Ireland and Germany – now need to persuade their EU neighbours to think again about their decision to lock out those fleeing from the horrors of war.
Ireland has agreed to take 99 refugees from Syria, and as part of the core working group on Syria with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) will be attending a meeting in Malmo, Sweden in early February to look at all the issues around admission of refugees from Syria.
Conditions in refugee camps are getting worse because of increasing numbers and cold weather, and Ireland needs to put pressure on its EU neighbours to do better. Indeed, Europe’s response to the need to support refugees from Syria is a disgrace. It cannot be claimed that the situation in Syria is little known as it could not have a higher profile across the world.
The horrors, chaos, and brutality of the civil war in Syria has long monopolised media headlines: the thousands dead, millions displaced or having fled the country, and hundreds killed in that horrendous chemical attack, besides a global debate about possible interventions from the west.
Millions of people in Syria have been forced from their homes by years of violence and are facing a winter of heavy snow and freezing conditions. And the United Nations has said that 9 million Syrians – about half of Syria’s population – are now in urgent need of aid.
Despite rhetoric from Europe and the United States with warnings of ‘red lines’ that must not be crossed, they have failed to get rid of President Assad. There has been a failure in the west to seriously engage with Syria, and this despite allegations of crimes against humanity including torture, beatings, electrocution and starvation.
Although some countries are providing other aid to Syria without accepting refugees, and Ireland’s decision to host just 99 refugees may be described as modest, and nothing to crow about, the disgraceful attitude of the majority of EU countries –including Britain, which made no offer to accept any refugees – has to be challenged, and Ireland is well placed to make that challenge.
Michael McGowan is a former MEP and President of the Development Committee of the European Parliament.
