By Ricardo López Göttig
In face of the humanitarian crisis with the arrival of thousands of immigrants seeking asylum, the European Union is acting precipitately after the problem. It was previsible that the civil war in Syria was going to cause a human wave in search of refuge, and the endless spiral of atrocities and barbarism of ISIS is increasing. Countries like Hungary decided to close borders, taking another step against the democratic and humanist principles of the European Union. Others, taking conscience of the tragedy, and with an eye looking to the public opinion, resolved to open doors to refugees.
The Islamists, of course, are looking to cause fear in the European public opinion, stating that among the refugees are many combatants ready to commit terrorist acts. And fear is the most powerful weapon, because they know that xenophobic and nationalist parties are using this insidious speech in order to refuse refuge without distinction to asylum-seekers, who are getting trapped in a limbus of desperation.
The European Union could transform the arrival of asylum-seekers in an opportunity for peace, and promotion of democratic values. The refugees need humanitarian assistance of food, medicines, shelter, and cloths, but the EU countries can also promote the knowledge and experience of how democracies work in the West. Democracies should underline, without hesitation, that they are prosperous and peaceful countries because of liberal institutions that protect and encourage citizens' development, creating wealth and welfare.
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, a huge wave of people crossed the border to Pakistan -mainly Pashtuns-, and they lived in refugee-camps for more than a decade. In this ground, far from homeland, grew the islamist movement known as Talibans, the "students" guided by Mullah Omar with his personal and particular view of Islam, and they took power in Afghanistan in 1996. Extremist ideas were taught in the refugee-camps, and later were implanted in the theocratic, oppresive, and destructive Taliban regime that dominated Afghanistan till 2001, causing violent conflicts on both sides of the Durand Line, the porous border with Pakistan.
We ignore how long is going to be the civil war in Syria. The refugees need urgent help to survive, but also the intellectual tools and practical knowledge to return and rebuild their country. The European Union -and the United States- can make a valuable investment teaching and promoting the principles of individual freedom, rule of law, democracy, diversity, respect, and pluralism to the refugees.
It is the historical opportunity to impulse values of universal character. Within the refugees can grow the future democratic leaders, entrepreneurs, physicians, journalists, carpenters, builders, school teachers, and masons who are going to work for a peaceful and open society in the Middle East.
You can also read my article in Spanish, Los asilados y la promoción de la democracia, published in El País (Spain).
In face of the humanitarian crisis with the arrival of thousands of immigrants seeking asylum, the European Union is acting precipitately after the problem. It was previsible that the civil war in Syria was going to cause a human wave in search of refuge, and the endless spiral of atrocities and barbarism of ISIS is increasing. Countries like Hungary decided to close borders, taking another step against the democratic and humanist principles of the European Union. Others, taking conscience of the tragedy, and with an eye looking to the public opinion, resolved to open doors to refugees.
The Islamists, of course, are looking to cause fear in the European public opinion, stating that among the refugees are many combatants ready to commit terrorist acts. And fear is the most powerful weapon, because they know that xenophobic and nationalist parties are using this insidious speech in order to refuse refuge without distinction to asylum-seekers, who are getting trapped in a limbus of desperation.
The European Union could transform the arrival of asylum-seekers in an opportunity for peace, and promotion of democratic values. The refugees need humanitarian assistance of food, medicines, shelter, and cloths, but the EU countries can also promote the knowledge and experience of how democracies work in the West. Democracies should underline, without hesitation, that they are prosperous and peaceful countries because of liberal institutions that protect and encourage citizens' development, creating wealth and welfare.
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, a huge wave of people crossed the border to Pakistan -mainly Pashtuns-, and they lived in refugee-camps for more than a decade. In this ground, far from homeland, grew the islamist movement known as Talibans, the "students" guided by Mullah Omar with his personal and particular view of Islam, and they took power in Afghanistan in 1996. Extremist ideas were taught in the refugee-camps, and later were implanted in the theocratic, oppresive, and destructive Taliban regime that dominated Afghanistan till 2001, causing violent conflicts on both sides of the Durand Line, the porous border with Pakistan.
We ignore how long is going to be the civil war in Syria. The refugees need urgent help to survive, but also the intellectual tools and practical knowledge to return and rebuild their country. The European Union -and the United States- can make a valuable investment teaching and promoting the principles of individual freedom, rule of law, democracy, diversity, respect, and pluralism to the refugees.
It is the historical opportunity to impulse values of universal character. Within the refugees can grow the future democratic leaders, entrepreneurs, physicians, journalists, carpenters, builders, school teachers, and masons who are going to work for a peaceful and open society in the Middle East.
You can also read my article in Spanish, Los asilados y la promoción de la democracia, published in El País (Spain).
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