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.

posted by monabauwens @ 9:53 AM