Journal of Middle East Human Rights

ONE BAD APPLE

5 MAY 2004

One Bad Apple
Shock horror outrage. Like most people Arab or Western I was angry at the appalling and disgraceful treatment of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers. Not only was it inhuman but it also went against the fundamental principals of America’s constitution. That it was perpetuated by a nation that values dearly the rule of law, human and civil rights, has seriously undermined Americas moral crusade in the Middle East.
While I did not accept Americas and Britain’s assertion that weapons of mass destruction existed, there was no question in my mind that Saddams Hussein needed to be removed by whatever force was necessary. The former dictator was responsible for bringing a great and noble nation down to the abyss while the Arab world turned a blind eye.
We the Arabs chose to ignore the plight of the Iraqi people under Saddams leadership. We chose to do nothing. Yet now we protest loudly at the chaos that now exists in Iraq blaming the mess on America and Britain. Undoubtedly the governments of President Bush and Prime Minister Blair have failed miserably in winning the ‘hearts and minds’ of the Iraqi people. That America and Britain went to war with no planning for the aftermath was, to put it diplomatically, irresponsible.
America’s policy in the Middle East is inequitable, irrational and goes against the principals of democracy, equity and liberty and the right to bear arms. America’s forefathers fought to free themselves from colonial rule and to establish their independence. The constitution of the United States is one of the most powerful testimony to the right of man. Every man.
Yet Presidents Bush recent policy on the Middle East has not merely ignored the right of the Arab people but is in complete contradiction to the principals of America’s way of life.
But But But….. I still believe that it was vital to have America’s intervention in Iraq and in the Middle East as we Arabs seem to be incapable of taking charge of our destiny and indeed have failed after gaining independence several decades ago of evolving just and equitable rule for our own societies.
Our leaders reject implementing civil and human rights. Our courts are subject to corruption. Our prisons are filled with people who dare to question the rampant abuse of a privileged few. Our media is heavily censored. Our political systems are reliant on deference and the rule of one.
We are quick to blame our ails on the West yet we do little to bring about change. We protest loudly at the plight of the Palestinian people yet hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain caged after several decades in refugee camps in the Arab world. Denied even the modicum of rights in their host countries, they live in a sixth dimension. Why? What are Arab governments doing to improve their life?
Every Arab knows the difficulty of gaining residency or work permits in other Arab countries. Discrimination by Arab to Arab is common knowledge. Yet until September 11 most Arabs applying for visas to Europe or the United States were granted permission to enter providing they had no criminal record and did not belong a terrorist organization. An Arab did not need ‘wasta’ to have his or her visa approved. And that in many ways is one of the fundamental differences between the West and the Arab world. There are laws and no one in the West is above the law.
Western governments are on a daily basis questioned for their policies and actions.
Not even the might and power of the most advanced military in the world was able to suppress the CBS report on the torture of Iraqi prisoners in Abu ghraib prison. The actions of a few bad apples in the American army were exposed. General Janice Karpinski who was running the prison has been suspended. An investigation is taking place and both the American media and the American people are demanding to know how this torture was allowed to happen.
America’s essential belief in the inherent right of freedom of speech and equity has enabled it not only expose the heinous acts but to demand answers from its leaders. This is what makes America strong, its ability to question its government’s actions and policy. Its leaders know that if they fail to be accountable to their constituents the American people will vote them out office for the Presidents power is derived from the people. The power belongs to the voters.
Ultimately one bad apple is not indicative or representative of a whole crate of apples. Nevertheless one bad apple in a crate if not swiftly removed can and will corrupt the whole box.

ONE BAD APPLE

5 MAY 2004

One Bad Apple
Shock horror outrage. Like most people Arab or Western I was angry at the appalling and disgraceful treatment of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers. Not only was it inhuman but it also went against the fundamental principals of America’s constitution. That it was perpetuated by a nation that values dearly the rule of law, human and civil rights, has seriously undermined Americas moral crusade in the Middle East.
While I did not accept Americas and Britain’s assertion that weapons of mass destruction existed, there was no question in my mind that Saddams Hussein needed to be removed by whatever force was necessary. The former dictator was responsible for bringing a great and noble nation down to the abyss while the Arab world turned a blind eye.
We the Arabs chose to ignore the plight of the Iraqi people under Saddams leadership. We chose to do nothing. Yet now we protest loudly at the chaos that now exists in Iraq blaming the mess on America and Britain. Undoubtedly the governments of President Bush and Prime Minister Blair have failed miserably in winning the ‘hearts and minds’ of the Iraqi people. That America and Britain went to war with no planning for the aftermath was, to put it diplomatically, irresponsible.
America’s policy in the Middle East is inequitable, irrational and goes against the principals of democracy, equity and liberty and the right to bear arms. America’s forefathers fought to free themselves from colonial rule and to establish their independence. The constitution of the United States is one of the most powerful testimony to the right of man. Every man.
Yet Presidents Bush recent policy on the Middle East has not merely ignored the right of the Arab people but is in complete contradiction to the principals of America’s way of life.
But But But….. I still believe that it was vital to have America’s intervention in Iraq and in the Middle East as we Arabs seem to be incapable of taking charge of our destiny and indeed have failed after gaining independence several decades ago of evolving just and equitable rule for our own societies.
Our leaders reject implementing civil and human rights. Our courts are subject to corruption. Our prisons are filled with people who dare to question the rampant abuse of a privileged few. Our media is heavily censored. Our political systems are reliant on deference and the rule of one.
We are quick to blame our ails on the West yet we do little to bring about change. We protest loudly at the plight of the Palestinian people yet hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain caged after several decades in refugee camps in the Arab world. Denied even the modicum of rights in their host countries, they live in a sixth dimension. Why? What are Arab governments doing to improve their life?
Every Arab knows the difficulty of gaining residency or work permits in other Arab countries. Discrimination by Arab to Arab is common knowledge. Yet until September 11 most Arabs applying for visas to Europe or the United States were granted permission to enter providing they had no criminal record and did not belong a terrorist organization. An Arab did not need ‘wasta’ to have his or her visa approved. And that in many ways is one of the fundamental differences between the West and the Arab world. There are laws and no one in the West is above the law.
Western governments are on a daily basis questioned for their policies and actions.
Not even the might and power of the most advanced military in the world was able to suppress the CBS report on the torture of Iraqi prisoners in Abu ghraib prison. The actions of a few bad apples in the American army were exposed. General Janice Karpinski who was running the prison has been suspended. An investigation is taking place and both the American media and the American people are demanding to know how this torture was allowed to happen.
America’s essential belief in the inherent right of freedom of speech and equity has enabled it not only expose the heinous acts but to demand answers from its leaders. This is what makes America strong, its ability to question its government’s actions and policy. Its leaders know that if they fail to be accountable to their constituents the American people will vote them out office for the Presidents power is derived from the people. The power belongs to the voters.
Ultimately one bad apple is not indicative or representative of a whole crate of apples. Nevertheless one bad apple in a crate if not swiftly removed can and will corrupt the whole box.

ONE BAD APPLE

5 MAY 2004

One Bad Apple
Shock horror outrage. Like most people Arab or Western I was angry at the appalling and disgraceful treatment of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers. Not only was it inhuman but it also went against the fundamental principals of America’s constitution. That it was perpetuated by a nation that values dearly the rule of law, human and civil rights, has seriously undermined Americas moral crusade in the Middle East.
While I did not accept Americas and Britain’s assertion that weapons of mass destruction existed, there was no question in my mind that Saddams Hussein needed to be removed by whatever force was necessary. The former dictator was responsible for bringing a great and noble nation down to the abyss while the Arab world turned a blind eye.
We the Arabs chose to ignore the plight of the Iraqi people under Saddams leadership. We chose to do nothing. Yet now we protest loudly at the chaos that now exists in Iraq blaming the mess on America and Britain. Undoubtedly the governments of President Bush and Prime Minister Blair have failed miserably in winning the ‘hearts and minds’ of the Iraqi people. That America and Britain went to war with no planning for the aftermath was, to put it diplomatically, irresponsible.
America’s policy in the Middle East is inequitable, irrational and goes against the principals of democracy, equity and liberty and the right to bear arms. America’s forefathers fought to free themselves from colonial rule and to establish their independence. The constitution of the United States is one of the most powerful testimony to the right of man. Every man.
Yet Presidents Bush recent policy on the Middle East has not merely ignored the right of the Arab people but is in complete contradiction to the principals of America’s way of life.
But But But….. I still believe that it was vital to have America’s intervention in Iraq and in the Middle East as we Arabs seem to be incapable of taking charge of our destiny and indeed have failed after gaining independence several decades ago of evolving just and equitable rule for our own societies.
Our leaders reject implementing civil and human rights. Our courts are subject to corruption. Our prisons are filled with people who dare to question the rampant abuse of a privileged few. Our media is heavily censored. Our political systems are reliant on deference and the rule of one.
We are quick to blame our ails on the West yet we do little to bring about change. We protest loudly at the plight of the Palestinian people yet hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain caged after several decades in refugee camps in the Arab world. Denied even the modicum of rights in their host countries, they live in a sixth dimension. Why? What are Arab governments doing to improve their life?
Every Arab knows the difficulty of gaining residency or work permits in other Arab countries. Discrimination by Arab to Arab is common knowledge. Yet until September 11 most Arabs applying for visas to Europe or the United States were granted permission to enter providing they had no criminal record and did not belong a terrorist organization. An Arab did not need ‘wasta’ to have his or her visa approved. And that in many ways is one of the fundamental differences between the West and the Arab world. There are laws and no one in the West is above the law.
Western governments are on a daily basis questioned for their policies and actions.
Not even the might and power of the most advanced military in the world was able to suppress the CBS report on the torture of Iraqi prisoners in Abu ghraib prison. The actions of a few bad apples in the American army were exposed. General Janice Karpinski who was running the prison has been suspended. An investigation is taking place and both the American media and the American people are demanding to know how this torture was allowed to happen.
America’s essential belief in the inherent right of freedom of speech and equity has enabled it not only expose the heinous acts but to demand answers from its leaders. This is what makes America strong, its ability to question its government’s actions and policy. Its leaders know that if they fail to be accountable to their constituents the American people will vote them out office for the Presidents power is derived from the people. The power belongs to the voters.
Ultimately one bad apple is not indicative or representative of a whole crate of apples. Nevertheless one bad apple in a crate if not swiftly removed can and will corrupt the whole box.

SUICIDE BOMBERS 3 SEPT 2004

I am going to play devil’s advocate here. Lets for an instance put to one side any moral legal and humane issues aside on the subject of suicide bombers as they are referred to in the West and martyrs as they are described in the Arab world.
Have any of these young people who have readily given up their lives in what I can only imagine to be a horrible painful death, achieved anything by their actions either for their families, the Palestinian people or their masters whose political agenda readily encourages their martyrdom?

What have they in Palestine actually achieved? Have these acts achieved peace? One millimetre of land? A place on the negotiating table? Economic relief for the Palestinians? A state?
No.
But what the politics of these suicide bombs has been very effective in doing is taking the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian rights to a homeland back to when such aspirations were a dream, a hope, and a frustrating long hard struggle.
What the suicide bombs however, do achieve is create further evidence that Palestinians are ‘terrorists’. It perpetuates the myth and gives further ‘cards’ to Israel that a Palestinian homeland will be a breeding ground for ‘terrorists’ to destroy not only Israel but also the West.
It further gives to Israel and its present leadership further ground to gain sympathy with the power brokers, namely the United States.
Furthermore it damages comprehensively the legitimate cause and plight of the Palestinians with the public. Any sympathy or understanding that the West has with Palestinian aims and aspirations are undermined and it make it very very difficult for Western leaders to champion the cause.
That Israel continues to occupy Palestinian land is indisputable. That Israel’s use of targeted assassinations are contrary to international law is fact. That Sharon’s determination to build an illegal wall condemned by the international community to protect Israel’s security is a false premise that brings and will continue to bring more destruction to both Palestinian and Israelis is sadly inevitable. Two wrongs however, do not make a right
Targeting civilians anywhere who ever they are because of their governments policy is a heinous crime that cannot be justified whatever the merits of the cause is. This is applicable whether these acts are in Russia or Iraq. These crimes against civilians do not as those who plan them will argue, cause fear and as such a change of policy. On the contrary it will furnish those governments with more power and more ‘legitimacy’ to fight terrorism.
Palestinians and indeed Arabs and Muslims pay the daily price of discrimination, every time a bomb blows up civilians in the name of freedom and Islam.
A more efficient and persuasive method to preach your message effectively and to gain results politically is best gained by using the law, education and promoting understanding of your plight. It takes time and perseverance.
Peaceful marches, will have far more of an impact on high lightening the inequity of a plight than blowing up a civilian target. A political agenda of promoting non violence and co existence will in time erode Israel’s excuses for not arriving to a final settlement and will I believe force the United States and the West to actively engage in resolving the Palestinian Israeli conflict.

Last weeks devastation in Beersheba, and I use the word deliberately, was devastating and tragic for both the Israelis and the Palestinians and its ramifications will I fear have a very destructive repercussions for a comprehensive durable peace between the two people.
What these acts will do is further alienate the merits of the cause and give the moral high ground to Israel.
We Arabs need to speak out loudly and act against those that will insist in continuing such acts in the name of peace.