Friday 2 October 2015

Syrian Refugee Crisis

 
Alan Kurdi

The shocking image that made the World take notice.
It appears that in recent months attitudes toward Syrians on a government and social level have been increasingly hostile and xenophobic. Everyone will remember the shocking image released last week of Alan Kurdi, as pictured on the right, a 3 year old boy who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea along with his mother and brother. His life taken away from him before he even reached the shores of Greece.
Many other Syrians, Iraqis and Africans are leaving their native countries; in fact 1700 people have died in the Mediterranean this year alone. The point is innocent Syrians are fleeing the wrath of the civil war and terrorist threats in the hope of starting a better life in Europe. But before they can even seek asylum they are stopped at the borders. This has occurred most recently in Hungary who are now refusing to give them entry. A razor wire fence has been erected along their border and the police are using water cannons and tear gas and other weapons to keep them away.
Charities are supporting camps and giving out essential aid. However supplies are short and people urgently need food, drink and clothing. At the end of the day these people would do anything to reach a safe haven. They have witnessed bombing and violence; many children have become orphaned through the war. A whole country has been destroyed and left in ruins, a vibrant Middle Eastern culture left in dismay.
No matter what your views are on the Syrian war and refugees, they are still human beings and should be treated with the sympathy and dignity they deserve. So next time you see camps and refugees on the news don’t make assumptions as they are ordinary people like you and I.
Adesua, Year 8
Boston High Newsroom