UN Humanitarian Intervention in Syria - Case Study Example

U.N humanitarian intervention in Syria Introduction s have the man to offer security to its people by safeguarding them from crimes against humanity. In the event that the state is not able to provide security, then the international community has the right to safeguard the civilian population through diplomatic or forceful means. Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and his military have dishonored international statutes with prevalent and organized assaults on Syrian civilians. Many countries including United States have recognized that Assad has forfeited his rule. Consequently, the countries recognize the Syrian National Council as a lawful representative of the Syrian citizens. The paper provides a brief history of the political situation, human security threats that prevail and the main actors in this conflict. A brief history of the political situation In 2000, Bashar al-Assad took power from his dictatorial father and started his ruling with a short-lived period of political freedom. He discharged some of the political detainees and accepted debate. Nonetheless, the speed of change led to oppression. Al-Assad was re-elected as the Syrian president for the second term in 2007. The election was devoid of competition from rival political group. During this period, he was the only candidate to contest for the position of presidency. In March 2011, demonstrations started in Deraa after the Arab spring. The demonstrations also started after the detention and torture of young persons who had written revolutionary catchphrases on the walls of their learning institution (Holliday 15). The Syrian military reacted by using excessive force. Al-Assad refused to be held accountable for the protests and instead accused foreign conspirators for the violence. This prompted countrywide protests requesting the president to step down. With time, demonstrators became more structured, with creation of the Syrian National Council (SNC) in the same year. Even though SNC justifiably rejected military intervention, they appealed for the international protection of the local citizens and their people. Another opposing group of armed men was named National Co-ordination Committee (NCC). As opposed to the principles of SNC, NCC supported talks with the government. However, the two groups came together to jointly to fight the government in 2011. On the other hand, soldiers who had defected from al-Assad’s camp created their group called the Free Syrian Army (FAS) and started attacking the Syrian army in reprisal. The president later supported the suggestion of the UN-Arab League Joint Special Envoy to end the hostilities (Human Security vs. Power Politics Dilemma 5). However, the rival army rejected additional state demands leading to continuation of the attacks. There have been clashes throughout the predicament concerning whether the rival army or al-Assad government should be blamed for the casualties arising from the clashes that involved assaults, severe bombings of major towns and massacres. Human security threats Economic security The type of threat on economic security is unique. For instance, the clashes in Syria forced teenagers to perform certain duties as a source of income in an attempt to provide for their families. Majority of the Syrian civilians ran away with only their cloths hence they had to work to feed their families. Numerous reports have always indicated that two in twenty immigrant children are employed in arable farms or shops for cheap labor. Others are also believed to be beggars along various city streets (Lassan 2). It is also estimated that roughly half of the teenage refugees are being exploited for various reasons. Child labor is unlawful making employers hide their involvement in the illicit act (Lassan 2). Girls are hugely affected when their families are not financially stable. It is clear that many Syrian girls are married an early age to attain financial and physical safety. Food security Dangers to food security like inadequate access to food and underfeeding remain a significant threat in Syria. Medical practitioners in Syria and neighboring nations report an increasing number of underfed children arriving from the affected areas. It is approximated that more than 9,000 Syrian children staying in Lebanon are facing food shortages and roughly 2,000 are vulnerable and can die if not taken care of (Lassan 3). The unending war has also led to the damage of farmland and death farm animals. Consequently, children experience difficulty finding reliable source of food that is necessary for their nutritional health. Breast feeding mothers have also constantly revealed that they are not able to produce enough milk to their infants due to elongated stress, getting rid of the most vital source of food security for infants. Crop production, especially wheat and barley has tremendously decreased since the conflict started (Kerkkänen 9). The situation threatens the country’s food security. Community security Infringements of societal security have affected children in numerous ways. For instance, the sectarian split that was blown up by the Syrian war has resulted in children being targeted based on their religious and tribal association. According to various reports released by the United Nations, the government military that mainly comprise of the Alawites ethnic group has constantly hunted the Sunni tribe. This has led to the inclusion of teenagers as solders. Additionally, Sunni tribe from the neighboring nations has also joined the fight due to its ethnic dimension (Public International Law & Policy Group 11). This constant increase in the number of foreign fighters and radical groups who try to fight either for Sunni or for Shia has strengthened the sectarian divide. Numerous rival groups are believed to be engaging children in the fight. In addition, rival groups and al-Assad military pursue children staying in geographically distinct societies like towns and villages. The region are either seized or in the process of being seized by either side. Political security The dangers to the political safety of children limit the fundamental human rights of teenage Syrians. Based on the UN Declaration of the Rights, there are ten fundamental privileges of children. Numerous arguments have stated that at least some section of each right are presently being dishonored in this conflict (Margesson & Chesser 7). The privilege of children to grow up physically, spiritually, ethically and socially in a safe and normal way is under violation. In addition, a child’s privilege to citizenship is also violated as many of them are born in different nations as immigrants without birth certificates. Therefore, such children lack healthcare services, education and face dangers of being deported from the refugee camps. The lack of a standardized set of courses for children both within and outside Syria is a current problem (Berti 4). The education children receive is based on the military force in control of the region where education is taking place. In most cases, teenage refugees staying in other countries adapt to the education system of that particular country The main actors Nearly every part of Syria is currently involved in war that has been extensively supported by different actors both within and outside the country. For instance, the first notable contributors to this conflict are the Syrian government army and anti-government militia troop. The situation has become dire due to the existence of a parallel militia group called the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS). Apart from this group controlling huge sections of northern Syria, they take part in constant armed conflicts with other anti-government militia groups like the Kurdish forces. In addition, The Protection Unit and Islamic Front remains one of the key actors of the war (Country Information and Guidance 27). Conclusion The history of Syrian conflict started in 2011, leading to the death and displacement of many people. The government’s extensive, organized and indiscriminative assault on civilians represents crime against humanity. Even though the international community has tried to stop the fight through peaceful negotiations, Syrian civilians are still dying. Intervention in the country is probably the national community’s best alternative of preventing further bloodshed and loss of life. Humanitarian intervention would be in line with the international statute and with the UN Charter. References Berti, Benedetta. The Syrian Refugee Crisis: Regional and Human Security Implications. 2014. Web. February 11, 2015. http://www.inss.org.il/uploadImages/systemFiles/adkan17_4ENG_7_Berti.pdf Country Information and Guidance. Syria: Security and humanitarian situation. 2014. Web. February 11, 2015. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/388629/CIG_-_Syria_-_Security_Situation_-_2014-12-16_-_v1_r.pdf Holliday, Joseph. The Assad Regime: From Counterinsurgency to Civil War. 2013. Web. February 11, 2015. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCsQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.understandingwar.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2FTheAssadRegime-web.pdf&ei=54PcVKDfFeKt7Ab334GYBA&usg=AFQjCNFHtX9dC_glRSB3m3tjsZfKA2jw0Q&sig2=_MVKtqoG1fKJeHQE7EDOxw&bvm=bv.85761416,d.ZGU Human Security vs. Power Politics Dilemma. “now a necessity” To intervene in Syria on Humanitarian grounds?. 2013. Web. February 11, 2015. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CE8QFjAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalr2p.org%2Fmedia%2Ffiles%2Ftimeline-of-international-response-to-syria-4.pdf&ei=CxXaVOGmFo7vauSbgIAP&usg=AFQjCNFu7a2PSQFHMMkNBfvw7qfkyjS2Ww&sig2=Ovtow6ZExOQ4YD9abL0chQ&bvm=bv.85464276,d.d2s Kerkkänen, Ari. The Failure of the Security Paradigm in Syria: The human security perspective. 2014. Web. February 11, 2015. www.fiia.fi/assets/publications/wp79.pdf Lassan, Scott. Protecting the Children and Youth of Syria: Human Security Threats and Their Consequences. 2014. Web. February 11, 2015. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCMQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcrdc.gmu.edu%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F09%2FProtecting-the-Children-of-Syria-Human-Security-Threats-And-Their-Consequences-1.pdf&ei=24rcVKzxAsnuUo3Oglg&usg=AFQjCNE7MrEpoPW_cx-eYCo3Un0FJa9tIQ&sig2=1caoRrJ5wAOUC5qb3Fro_g&bvm=bv.85761416,d.d24 Margesson, Rhoda. & Chesser, Susan. Syria: Overview of the Humanitarian Response. Library of Congress Washington DC Congressional Research Service, 2013. Print Public International Law & Policy Group. The Legal Case for Humanitarian Intervention in Syria under the Responsibility to protect. 2014. Web. February 11, 2015 all4syria.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/PILPG-Syria-The-Responsibility-to-Protect-in-Syria-Final-05-04-12-2.pdf Read More