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Democracy |
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By Hageraweet Yassin -
Oct 02, 2002
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Although democracy is somewhat of a universal concept, we as the people who live within this concept, if it really exists create a world which cannot be fathomed even by the likes that have fought all their lives for it and/or have lost their lives for it. Unfortunately we as the global population are diverse in the way we think, and live. Therefore what may be democratic to one may not be democratic to another. What may be righteous to one may not be righteous to another. The point Im attempting to make here is that words such as democracy, equality and terrorism should be used very carefully; such dialect is quite sensitive to begin with. The reason why I am writing this article is due to the article written by the awate team titled Nine one one; Mass assassination. I will say the concept and idea that terrorism is wrong and democracy is the way is one that I strongly agree with, however what do we really know, in the sense of who are we to judge in a magnified manner regarding terrorism and democracy? We as Eritreans, never had the opportunity in the past to experience democracy in our country Eritrea; government after government. Therefore we only know what we want, so we should work towards that rather than take the stand to discredit others.
What took place on 9-11 was indeed a tragedy, one that took the world by storm, an occurrence that only happened in the movies, well in our minds anyway. The awate team asked us all to imagine if we were on the 40th floor of the twin towers, unfortunately we cannot, such a horrific piece of destruction who would want to. I personally cannot say I know how it feels, nor can I say I know what the families are going through, I can only offer my extended condolences. Can we also offer our extended condolences to those who are murdered everyday in Palestine? Can we also offer our extended condolences to those who were massacred in Bosnia? Can we imagine waking up to raids and bombings everyday of our lives? Can we imagine wondering if our children will come home safe from school or whether we will
seem them scattered on the floors of Palestine? I think we cannot. A silly question really, but why is 9-11 always brought on T.V, in the news, in
documentaries, but nothing about Palestine, or Bosnia for that matter?
The world has now become what was never thought to be. The democracies against the dictatorships, if you are not with us you are against us. There was a time in the media when Cherie Blair stated something about the Palestinians being driven to carry out these suicide bombings. Attacking the twin towers and these suicide bombings are acts of insanity, if not phrased in that sense that is the way of thinking of those in the media and those who write. What we need to ask ourselves is what is driving them to this insanity. What would we do if our family members or friends were killed on the streets they walk on would that not drive us to insanity? Is democratic for Israelis to occupy lands that does not belong to them and kill youngsters? The awate team seem to speak of democracy however although the subject of their article was the acts of 9-11, they took the privilege to condemn is and I applaud them. However I havent come across an awate team article condemning the acts on Palestinians in such a length of 9-11. Democracy, whether it exists or not is another question, works both ways. A law cannot apply for one and be overlooked for another. Unfortunately that is what is taking place in the world today. However, the awate team did point this out, with the American civil liberties; person of interest. No man should be held under any circumstance, terrorist or no terrorist without a fair trial, we only seem to come across these actions with dictatorial
countries as we see back home. Therefore is it justifiable to expect
democracy if you do not give it?
But, by now, the United States government knows that an authoritarian regime cannot possibly be an American ally: it scorns all values of freedom, liberty, democracy, free press, religious freedom and human rights.
Although this quote from the awate team article is the correct way to
conduct a government of democracies, America has done it in the past and is still doing it. The Americans were associated with the repressive and dictatorial countries such as Central America, Caribbean, in South Korea, the Philippines, Zaire and many other countries. All this support was carried out while the Regan clan confronted the policies of Nicaragua therefore putting a stop to all aid and supplied the guerilla fighters with ammunition. It was the American government who supported Iraq in the Iraq/Iran war. It was the American government who supported the Mujahideen against Russia. All the above are criminals according to society My point here, regarding the latter quote is that although supporting oppressive regimes such as the above and Eritrea would scorn morals and values doesnt stop the most powerful people to step forth and support. Is it not America who supports Israel by sending helicopters and weaponry to take over Palestinian land in 1967? Are double standards justifiable in any case?
I do hope that we as people will be eager enough to write about everyone who is suffering in the hands of others, rather than the ones we pick and choose to write about. I do hope we will see articles devoted to our brothers and sisters in Palestine who are dying in the hands of terrorists.
May ALLAH bless us all. |
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