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Iraq's Refugee Crisis More Dire than Darfur?
The Guardian reports today that Iraq could be become the biggest refugee crisis the world has witnessed, overtaking even that of Darfur. The warnings about this impending situation come from a report released on Tuesday by Refugees International documenting that as of November 2006, 1.8 million Iraqis have fled the country and an additional 500,000 have been displaced throughout Iraq. A spokesperson for the group said, "We're not saying it's the largest [refugee crisis], but it's quickly becoming the largest."
The report highlights the fact that Jordan, one of two countries in the Middle East that opened its doors after the U.S. invasion in 2003, have since closed them (Jordan closed its border after the hotel bombings in Amman in November of last year), leaving Syria the sole destination for Iraqi refugees. The UN estimates that 2,000 enter Syria each day. A report released last month by the Human Rights Watch provides a detailed look at the situation in Jordan: "The Silent Treatment: Fleeing Iraq, Surviving in Jordan" looks indepth at the issues facing Iraqi refugees in the country as well as the difficult decisions that lie ahead for the government.
Jordan, historically sympathetic to refugees (Palestinians mostly), has had their patience tested with the current situation in Iraq. Now, Iraqis and Palestinians (entering through Iraq) are being turned away at its border and Iraqis who do sneak in lose their legal status immediately and begin accruing fines of up to $2 USD per day. If the Jordanian police apprehend them, they are sent back to Iraq. Human Rights Watch is claiming that the Jordanian government is violating a principle of international customary law, called refoulement, "the forced return of refugees."
Human Rights Watch has been careful to express that the purpose of their report is not to chastise Jordan but on the contrary to bring to light a humanitarian crisis that can't be ignored and requires international coordination. The group calls on Jordan to admit the refugee crisis exists and to call for assistance from the international community. Refugees International is also calling for international support, but they call on the west to lead the initiative. "The United States and its allies sparked the current chaos in Iraq, but they are doing little to ease the humanitarian crisis caused by the current exodus," said the organization's president.
I think it's safe to say something needs to be done (and fast) if experts are calling this the next Darfur.
I agree with Leigh whole heartedly but, unfortunately, what's right and what's possible seem to be completely opposite one another. Certainly, we as Americans should take the "you break it, you buy it" stance on Iraq. We invaded, occupied and basically forced people to flee from Iraq. If one possesses a heart and a conscience (of which our current administration lacks both) we would lead a struggle to help formulate a solution for these displaced people. That, unfortaunetly but not surprisingl, seems unlikely.
Four years ago, the United States government announced the obvious reality that the genocide in the Sudan is indeed that, a genocide. Yet, we still have done nothing. As Sudanese people fled to the Congo for protection, we did nothing, and now as the Sudanese flee back to Darfur to escape the killings that have made a mockery of international borders and response, we do nothing. So call me a sceptic, but if we are still averting our eyes from the ever-growing crisis in Africa, what makes us think we will actually have a heart in terms of the current refugee crisis in Iraq, one that we are solely responsible for?
The damn the torpedoes approach of USA Foreign Policy has never given one scintilla of compassion for the hundreds of thousands of people the misadventures of USA Imperialism has killed or displaced , starting with the conquest of Hawaii.
The only difference with the Bush Jr. regime, and the current war in Iraq, is that this Bush is so arrogant that he can`t be bothered to even attempt to hide the obvious.
The Foreign Policy of the USA is analogous to the mind set of 'The Divine Right of Kings'. The USA take it for granted that the world is one big supply depot, that is there for the care and upkeep of the American Empire ; and, if it means war and death of hundreds of innocent people, then so be it. Bush would say ,"dem are de breaks' !
It is folly to think a change in regime in the USA is going to change this bred in the bone arrogance. When things get too desperate (and obvious) as is the case with Iraq at present, a blue ribbon committee of the old guard is trotted out to tidy up the blood and guts, but quietly maintain the status quo.
Who will be the next Iraq in the sights of USA Imperialism ? Will it be Canada as USA run out of fresh drinking water?
It is not far fetched to imagine the back room boys who formulate USA Foreign Policy already have a handy dandy book of game plans whereby , on some pretext they announce to the world that they have to invade canada to save it. And then it will be Canadian refugees fleeing into Mexico as the wealthy in the USA sit by their swimming pools sipping fressh Canadian water seemingly unaware that people are dying to keep their glasses full.
Until the world puts a stop to USA Imperialism, there will always be hundreds of thousands of deaths and refugees. And the young naive Americans will die in wars that are designed to supply the wealthy by utilizing the blood and sweat of the less fortunate American Youth !
Such is the situation in today`s world.
Sadly I see little change in the near future.
Ray
Little change will come if we sit back and complain. The reason things are cyclical is because we talk about patterns, which only perpetuates the cycle. instead we must use our resources to do what ever it is we can to enact change in these trying times. Anyone can spout of political rhetoric and historical information. To say, "i see little change in the near future" will only hinder change. To all American progressives: quit blogging and start putting your money, and energy where your mouth is.