Blog #10: March of the Living to Focus on Post-Survivor Period

This year marks the 27^th anniversary of the March of the Living. The March of the living is an organized program where students from more than 45 countries unite and make a pilgrimage to the death factories in Europe, tour the ghettos, and comprehend the concentration camps and the effects of genocide and the Holocaust. This trip to Poland is followed by a visit to Israel for Remembrance Day honoring the fallen soldiers, a day that is highly valued in the country, and Independence Day. The two-week long trip will begin this upcoming Monday, starting in Poland and concluding in Israel. According to the organization’s chairman, the actual March of the Living pilgrimage to Auschwitz-Birkenau, done in Poland, will focus on “passing on the torch, with participants becoming the witnesses for the next generation.” He continued to state that with every year, comes fewer survivors, leading to fewer stories. Through this he stresses how with the rising anti-Semitism in Europe, it is imperative that the lessons, stories, and moral from this tragic period be understood and taken to action. The trip, led by former chief rabbi and Holocaust survivor Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, has now accumulated over 220,000 participant over the years. He states, “I believe that the march has a transformative effect,” and that with each trip comes a change in mindset for every teen in this generation, something that is extremely valuable.

I am more than honored and blessed to say that, starting Monday, I will be a participant in the March of the Living. Spending a week in Poland and a week in Israel is something to cause excitement alone; but knowing I will be walking the same steps as millions of Jews that perished and brushing the same soil that my grandfather who survived the Holocaust did, is something unimaginable. This trip’s mission is to study the history of the Holocaust and to examine the roots of prejudice, intolerance, and hate, something that my blogs have shown is very prevalent in the world. This is why I chose to make my theme for my blogs Genocide and Anti-Semitism. I wanted to receive more of a global and sociological understanding of Genocide, prejudice, and intolerance, and further, how it affects everyone. Both my parents have been on this trip, and in fact, my mother was on the first trip ever held. Without the trip my mother would not have decided to marry a Jewish man like my father. Not only is this trip the reason I am here today, but I get the opportunity to honor my grandfather like never before, a survivor of Auschwitz. Education, in my opinion, is the first step to making a difference. Learning about the terrors of the past and this psychology behind it can further help us engage and take preventative action in the present day and in the future. This is my first step to recognizing Genocide, prejudice, Anti-Semitism, intolerance, and hate; what’s yours? 

http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/March-of-the-Living-to-focus-on-post-survivor-period-396573

Jordanna Gisser

April 10, 2015

8:13 AM

Blog #9: An exhibition in Iran Will Mock the Holocaust

As may approaches, organizers in Tehran will host the Second International Holocaust Cartoon Contest. Given the terror that the Holocaust embodied, an exhibition, featuring some of the 839 pieces of “artwork” submitted by artist from more than 50 countries, can draw much attention. An event so horrific in which the Nazi regime systematically killed more than 6 million Jews, along with millions of Roma, homosexuals, political dissidents and other undesirables, in addition to current fears of global anti-Semitism, an event of so called “mockery” can be seen as truly unacceptable. However, their stated goals is to provoke Western sensibilities, particularly in response to satirical cartoons concerning Islam. They hope to display the west’s double standard behavior towards freedom of expression, as it permits to mock religious sanctities. Although this can be seen as a direct Iranian anger from the Charlie Hebdo publications in France, the first contest was held in 2006, featuring motifs and themes of Holocaust denial. It also illustrated grievances in the Middle East over Israel's treatment of Palestinians living under occupation. A prompt for this year's contest, include questions such as these: "If the West says that freedom of speech has no borders then why don't they let historians and experts properly research the Holocaust?", and, "Why should the Palestinian people pay for the Holocaust?" Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations responded to this by stating, "It ridicules one of the darkest events in human history, and it cheapens the death of millions of Jews who were murdered." The former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad portrayed Holocaust denial as an argument in his anti- Israel rhetoric. His successor, however, Hassan Rouhani, described the Holocaust as "reprehensible and condemnable" even though he did not indicate whether followed the mainstream historical opinion on the topic. Rouhani is now in the process of negotiations aimed at sealing a deal on Iran’s controversial nuclear program; but as the article states, “an event that is as provocative as this cartoon exhibition won't endear Iran to an already skeptical West.”

Although I find it truly a disgrace to organize such an exhibition, I understand their claimed purpose to provoke western sensibilities and point out a double standard occurrence. However, I do not approve of political cartoons creating satirical portrayals of figures that may be considered holy to others; but I do have to say, there is a difference between denying a genocide and creating more satire. In my past blogs, it is evident that after any genocide, there are people who deny them. Whether this be due to a religious or political stand point, or lack of education, this is a modern day occurrence. Further, it is something that must be eliminated, and especially, something that should not be provoked in exhibitions as this. Ridicule of millions of death is never acceptable, and in Iran’s current political state, I do not think this is a smart move. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/04/07/an-exhibition-in-iran-will-mock-the-holocaust/

Jordanna Gisser

April 8, 2015

8:36 AM

Blog #8: Rwanda, Police Rally against Genocide Ideology

As of yesterday, the Rwanda National Police has called on the public to unite and fight against any support of the denial of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The message was delivered yesterday ahead of the 21^st commemoration of the Genocide starting tomorrow. This is known as ‘Kwibuka’, meaning remember, focusing on commemoration of the ones that perished and honoring them by fighting against Genocide denial. Rwandans and allies across the globe will pay tribute and honor the one million lives massacred in just one hundred days 21 years ago. The Commissioner for Operations Emmanuel Butera spoke to local radio stations stating, “Rwandans have chosen to say 'never again' to these acts and we should endeavor to stop those who still harbor ill intentions.” He noted that it was critical that Rwandans should not wait for Police act, and rather, cooperate in ending this denial by reporting suspects and providing information to the forces. Theos Badege, the commissioner of CID, said these crimes involve threats, violence, and insults against Genocide survivors. He stated, “"Community policing has been key to overcoming several crimes; we should continue to work together especially during this period. This is a period of mourning and remembrance, which reminds us of the terrible cost of bad leadership, disunity and segregation." This period of 100 days of ‘Kwibuka’ is an opportunity to gain a better historical understanding, commemorate those that perished, and honor those that survived. Through uniting and understanding the importance of diminishing genocide denial, Rwanda is one step close to becoming more of a progressive, developmental, and peaceful country.

Much like what was discussed in my last Blog, the resolution passed in Greek Cyprus to make it a crime to deny that the Ottoman Turks committed genocide and crimes against humanity or war crimes against Armenian Turks Although, this article is a progressive view on genocide denial. As I said before, I find it significant and vital that all history with factual evidence is recognized, but wonder if it will cause uprising due to the lack of freedom of expression. However, I do think that when it comes to such serious issues, complex politics, especially concerning so many deaths, and international relations, parliament should be allowed and has the right to produce such a solution. Although I am a strong supporter of freedom of expression, I think that once there is ample evidence that make stories, facts and facts, history, there comes a point where denial is not acceptable.  

http://allafrica.com/stories/201504061279.html

Jordanna Gisser

April 6, 2015

8:51 AM

Blog #7: Greek Cyprus criminalizes denial of ‘Armenian genocide’

Greek Cyprus has officially made it a crime to deny that the Ottoman Turks committed genocide and crimes against humanity or war crimes against Armenian Turks in 1915, through a resolution passed in parliament today. This legislation opens up new opportunities for Turkey, as peace talks on the ethnically-split island remain stalled, but can now begin. As parliament speaker Yiannakis Omirou says, “Today is a historic day. It allows parliament to restore, with unanimous decisions and resolutions, historical truths.” It is says by Armenia that up to 1.5 million Ottoman Armenians were killed in the genocide, beginning in 1915, a number that turkey believes is inflated and lead to misconceptions. However, nearly 20 countries have recognized the killings as genocide. Further, the issue has long been a source of tension between Turkey and several Western countries, especially the United States and France, both home to large ethnic Armenian Diasporas. With this resolution passed and the idea that it does not interfere with freedom of expression, as it did prior, it is evident that tension will begin to ease and progress can be made in the future towards more unity and stability.

I find it surprising that a resolution like this would be passed. Although I find it significant and vital that all history with factual evidence is recognized, I do understand the implications it might include. For example, as seen in the article, I could see someone claiming that this resolution limits their freedom of expression and speech. However, I do think that when it comes to such serious issues, complex politics, especially concerning so many deaths, and international relations, parliament should be allowed and has the right to produce such a resolution. I have read many articles about people denying the holocaust, the Darfur genocide, and creating conspiracies. Although I am a strong supporter of freedom of expression, thought, and speech, I think that once there is ample evidence that puts stories into facts that turn into history, one’s denial is nearly arbitrary. 

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/greek-cyprus-criminalizes-denial-of-armenian-genocide.aspx?pageID=238&nID=80498&NewsCatID=351 

Jordanna Gisser

April 2, 2015

11:34 AM

Blog #6: Jewish leader warns that anti-Semitism in Europe is "like the 1930s"

The President of the World Jewish Congress, representing Jewish communities in 100 countries, Ronald Lauder has said that European Jews “live in fear” amid a surge of anti-Semitism once again. In reference to the 1930s, Lauder strongly believes history is beginning to repeat himself and stresses the importance for the Unite States to beware of this theme of anti-Semitism. With events such as the recent attacks in France and Copenhagen highlighting this issue, he states that there is an evident new and growing threat driven by radical Islam and terrorism sweeping across Europe. He States, “The United States can and must speak loudly and clearly to condemn this evil for what it is – the radical Islamic hatred of Jews. To defeat this new flame of radical Islamic terror and survive… the United States must lead.” However, many Jewish organizations in Britain have emphasized that the current situation for Jewish People in Europe is very different in comparison to the 1930s. Further, Jonathan Arkush,, the Vice President of The Board of Deputies of British Jews, an affiliate of the WJC, told The Independent that while Laudner was accurate in mentioning the significance of modern-day anti-Semitism, “it’s important to be clear that the fear currently experienced by Jews in some European countries, especially in France, is very different from the 1930s… In those dark days, anti-Semitism was actively fomented by the Nazi rulers and their helpers. Today, anti-Semitism is strongly opposed and condemned by governments across Europe.” According to studies, anti-Semitic attacks have more than doubled in the UK in the past year against the backdrop of Israel’s military action in Gaza. Overall it was found that 1,168 anti-Semitic incidents occurred n 2014 – a 118 percent increase on the previous year. Since the deadly attacks on the Charlie Hebdo magazine offices and Jewish supermarket in Paris in January, France has prepared thousands of police troops and deployed them to possible sights of danger. As Lauder concludes, “While we welcome support from all quarters, including the United States, we Europeans have the responsibility of leading the fight against anti-Semitism and racism of every description in our continent, just as we are doing,” Lauder added.

It is evident that the theme of this article is very different compared to the other articles discussed. Further, it is mentioned that anti-Semitism is nearing the extreme that it once was in the early twentieth century. It is important to consider this current thematic difference in anti-Semitism, especially juxtaposed with terrorism, however it is also critical to understand it has always been around. Although this is no excuse for the continuation of these acts, and with globalization and modern technology it has very much changed, I believe something has to be done or enacted more than just putting up security in front of Synagogues. In addition, and in retrospect, I disagree with what the organizations and deputies within Britain were saying about how most governments condemn and oppose anti-Semitism. Although I believe this and hope for this to be true, I do not know how much they actually do about it. Moreover, although times were different, during the Holocaust, almost no countries would take Jews who were trying to leave before becoming exterminated by the Nazis, this including the UK and the US. In addition, although this may be of importance to governments, this idea shows the devaluing of genocide and extreme anti-Semitism once it becomes a political problem. So does the government truly condemn it and follow through with their beliefs, or is this a fallacy we hope to be true? As Rwandan genocides, Darfur, and many other mass murders go on, if this was true, would they not be placing their security guards there?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/jewish-leader-warns-that-antisemitism-in-europe-is-like-the-1930s-10133646.html

Jordanna Gisser

March 25, 2015

9:12 PM

Blog #5: Rwanda outgrows its genocide orphanages

           With practicing the saying “no orphans in our community” and neighbors taking in other people children’s if needed, simply as part of the culture, Rwandan orphanages were virtually unheard of before the Rwandan Genocide. As a result of the 1994 travesty, when at least 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus died over a 100-day period, many privately run children’s homes were proliferated. This immense change can be illustrated through the comparison of the only four in the country before and the 30 orphanages in the small East African country today. As Claudine Nyinawagaga, the Rwanda country director for Hope and Homes for Children, a non-government organization, “After the genocide there were many orphans and children separated from their parents. The government had to deal with many issues - almost everyone in the country was either a victim of, or participated in the genocide - [the government] had to rebuild the country, so children were a low priority.”

            However, the Rwandan government has stated that they want to see all orphanages closed by 2020, an initiative that Hope for Homes supports. One may think that these orphanages were healthy scapegoats, which during the Genocide may have been true, but these orphanages are not like the ones in Westernized societies. Near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Noel Orphanage still stands, until recently housing about 100 children and disabled adults.       Toddlers sleep in rows of storage bins as one blind infant rocks herself repeatedly, in order to simulate the affection of a parent. In the rooms, the floor is made of concrete, consisting of no toys and the smell of a farmhouse. Outside resembles a stable, with mud strewn everywhere, leaving the inhabitants to stay in the same room constantly. The manager of Noel refused to talk, but a worker who did not want to be identified said: "Some here are just waiting to die. In fact some would be better off dead". Whether it be because children are now left in orphanages because their parents say they cannot afford them or because they are disabled and too expensive, the main problem is rooted in poverty. Rwanda may have one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, but almost half the population, especially those in rural areas, live below the poverty line. In addition, to add to this dilemma, according to Ms Nyinawagaga, for every $100 donated to organizations running orphanages, only about $40 goes towards caring for the child.

            In conclusion, the hope is that the Noel Orphanage will be closed by April, with children placed with either their birth families or alternative family-based. In place of the orphanages, the Rwanda government has set up building community hubs to support parents going to work. Over the last four years, eight have been established around the country built by NGOs; and as the article states, “If Rwanda is successful in closing all its orphanages by 2020, it will become the first African country to do so, something Ms Nyinawagaga hopes will help move the country "from the negative of the genocide to a positive future".”

            I think the concept of this article is really important to consider, especially in comparison to my other blogs. This article accentuates the effect a genocide not only can have on a country and its economy, but its children and families. With understanding the unscrupulous conditions of the current orphanage systems in Rwanda, I strongly agree and support the initiative to deplete them by 2020 and strongly empathize for the ones who are most directly affected.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31830220 

Jordanna Gisser

March 15, 2015

6:09 PM

Blog #4: Anti-Semitism Is On The Rise In German Schools

Using Jew as an insult, desecrating Jewish cemeteries, and drawing swastikas on synagogues, have once again, 75 years after the Holocaust, returned. Hatred, persecution, and discrimination against Jews is now openly being practiced in Germany, especially within the school system. Director of the American Jewish Committee in Berlin, Deidre Berger, wrote in The Times of Israel that "anti-Semitic incidents occur every day in Germany, on the streets, in schoolyards, in train stations, on the soccer field, and throughout social media." According to statistics found from the German government, the numbers of crimes linked to anti-Semitism in Germany have increased dramatically over the past year. In 2013 there were 788 cases, and in 2014 there was a 10 percent increase, proving that anti-Semitism is not merely a perception, but a social problem. Dilek Kolat, Berlin's senator for labor, stated that, "In 2013, of eight anti-Semitic attacks, seven came from the right and only one of them from a foreigner. The problem cannot be made to focus on Muslims.” This being said, 90 percent of the perpetrators come from the extreme right, leading to immense changes among Jewish students. According to Berger, “Due to specific cases of bullying and a general climate of anti-Jewish hostilities, some pupils prefer to attend Jewish schools and private schools.” Further, in some areas of German cities, wearing a head covering or a necklace with a Star of David is seen as a provocation and might be the reason for attacks or persecution. The Jewish community of Berlin, which is the largest in Germany, fear attacks like this on a daily basis. To illustrate the severity of this issue, an example of this is how publishers of the German-Jewish newspaper recently decided to mail their newspaper in unmarked envelopes so no one would know the recipients are Jewish.

In my previous blog posts, I have written about the political definitions of genocide, the goals of genocide, and its catastrophic outcomes. In this post, however, I wanted to focus on a different aspect, and further, illustrate that genocide can be connected to anti-Semitism. In the past three genocide examples in the other posts, it was evident that genocide is very rooted in political power and control. However, although I do believe that this is a huge factor in the effects of genocide and war crimes, I think the idea of one “man” having supremacy over a subordinate “man” is highly prevalent. This is why it is critical to take issues like anti-Semitism, racism, bias, and bigotry into strong consideration because those beliefs, ones that have an ethnocentric mentality, can lead to catastrophic conclusions, ones very much like, or what can even be considered, genocide. The Holocaust was a huge genocide committed on the Jewish people during World War II, and the idea that the small ideas of discrimination are reoccurring is critical to Jewish students, and further, the lives of many innocent people. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/04/antisemitism-germany_n_6794928.html

Jordanna Gisser

March 6, 2015

9:00 PM

Blog #3: Iraq's UN Ambassador Says IS Fighters Are Committing Genocide

On Tuesday the 17^th, Iraq’s U.N. Ambassador claimed that Islamic State militants were committing genocide. This statement was made a day before an emergency Security Council session, calling on the recent extremist massacre murdering 21 Christian Egyptians in Libya. As stated by Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim, a high-ranking Shiite ayatollah, “These terrorist groups have desecrated all human values. They have committed the most heinous criminal terrorist acts against the Iraqi people, whether Shi'ite, Sunni, Christians, Turkmen, Shabak or Yazidis. These are, in fact, crimes of genocide committed against humanity that must be held accountable before international justice." This was said in response to the charred remains of dozens of people found in the town Al-Baghdadi in Iraq, a town that recently came under Islamic state control. Countries whose citizens are being killed, like Jordan and Egypt, both called for an emergency intervention and international attention. The President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sissi states, "What happened is a hateful crime against humanity, not only against Egyptians. I address this message here to Europeans and the French in particular," he said. "I said it to the French president four months ago when I met him: Watch out — what's happening in Libya will transform the country into a breeding ground that will threaten the entire region, not just Egypt, but Egypt, the Mediterranean basin and Europe." With publicized videos of beheadings and intense propaganda, it is evident that the militant group are aspiring to confront Christianity, warning “all crusaders” that the group aimed to "conquer" Rome, long the geographic nexus of European Christianity and a launching point for the medieval Crusades in the Holy Land. With the struggle to mediate, parallel governments, and warring militias, Libya is struggling to gain stability and control. Further there is a constant power struggle and a sense of lawlessness that has been felt for the past four years. The U.N. human rights chief called, on Tuesday, for Libyans to overcome this rehabilitating political division in order to unite against Islamist extremism, and further, protect international relations.

In comparison to my previous blogs, I believe this article illustrates a reoccurring theme as far as the goal of genocide. All though there is hatred, Antisemitism, and prejudice rooted in most acts of genocide, I find that most of the time the intention is solely rooted in an overriding want or need for political power and control. The problem is, however, when this aspiration is harnessed through war crimes and massacres, turning wars into genocides and dilemmas into lives lost. 

http://www.voanews.com/content/sissi-seeks-un-mandate-on-international-intervention-in-libya/2647046.html  

Jordanna Gisser

February 20, 2015

11:01 PM

Blog #2: Tamil Province charges Colombo with genocide

On February Tenth, Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial Council passed a resolution accusing subsequent governments in the nation of committing ‘genocide’ against the native Tamils. The Colombo leadership has thus far not condoned the resolution, especially since it has been involving multiple external countries in hopes to gain international support ahead of the U.N. Human Rights Council gathering in Geneva. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran with the intent to deliver, “an overview of the evidence demonstrating successive Sri Lankan governments’ genocide against Tamils”. It appealed to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights for the examination of the claim and hope for a reciprocated action. The eleven page document included and exemplified episodes of violence, persecution, and oppression in Sri Lankan history, especially considering the controversial Sinhala Only Act of 1956. In culmination, these acts have, according to U.N. estimates, claimed 40, 000 civilian lives. Health Minister and Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said President Maithripala Sirisena had promised to initiate an internationally approved, domestic inquiry process saying, “This is a period of reconciliation, and both sides should engage constructively, rejecting extremism”. He says that although the Northern Provincial Council may be justified in raising concern over alleged war crimes, “they cannot call it genocide,” and that, “Choosing confrontational ways will hamper forward movement on the issue.” To complicate the dilemma, most of the issue, as the article articulates, is driven by the lack of representation of all parties and native ethnicities, pointing to apparent differences within the main political party representing the island’s northern Tamils versus the contrasting parties.

           

This article shows how often Genocide is committed on a domestic basis in order to establish a “pure race” nation or due to the possible discrimination and prosecution embedded in leadership. It is evident that in Sri Lanka, there is a power struggle between the two native peoples, the Tamils and the Sinhalese. Genocide is defined differently throughout languages in cultures, simply from the socially constructed association it suggests. I think once comparing this article to my previous blog, it shows how Genocide as a term may be used interchangeable as a way of describing War Crimes, no matter how accurate the description or association may be. 

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/tamil-province-charges-colombo-with-genocide/article6879400.ece 

Jordanna Gisser
February 13, 2015
10:56 PM

Blog #1: UN Court Dismisses Serbian, Croatian Genocide Claims

Described as “one of perhaps the most important events” for bilateral relations by Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, the UN’s International Court of Justice, known as ICJ, has ruled that Serbia and Croatia neither committed acts of genocide during the Croatian war of secession from Yugoslavia. He told reporters it could, “put an end to both sides’ fight to prove who the worst criminal is”, and rather, alleviate the tension. The verdict was delivered on February 3 by Court President Peter Tomka in the landmark case in The Hague. The case was originally brought to court in 1999 by Zagreb, asking for Belgrade to pay compensation for crimes during the war. This case accused Serbs of targeting ethnic Croats in the town of Vukovar and its surroundings in 1991. Filing its countersuit in 2010, Serbia stated that ethnic Serbs were expelled when Croatia launched an operation to retake territory captured by Serbs. Tomka spoke at the ICJ headquarters saying that many crimes happened during the conflict that killed nearly 20, 000 people. He stated that both sides, however, practiced violent acts during the 1991-1995 war, but that neither side provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate the “specific intent required for acts of genocide.” After all was said and done by the verdict, Serbian Justice Minister Nikola Selakovic told journalist in The Hague, “This marks the end of one page on the past, and I’m convinced we will start a new page on the future, much brighter and better.”

Genocide is a beyond unfortunate and catastrophic act that the human species have disappointingly practiced throughout time. This is seen throughout history and even in the modern 21^st century. This article exemplifies the significance of making sure issues like war and conflict are reviewed and countries compensate according to the verdict presented. I am grateful for establishments like the ICJ and its capability to determine whether a moral action must be taken in response to extreme immoral behavior. In the article it mentions how the relations between Croatia and Serbia have blossomed and, after multiple years of turmoil, progress is definitely admired. 

http://www.rferl.org/content/un-court-dismisses-croatias-genocide-claim-against-serbia/26827667.html

Jordanna Gisser
February 6, 2015
9:45 PM

U.N. Confirms an Outbreak of Polio in Syria Blog #7

Just I wrote last week about doctors in Syria are trying to put morals and ethics over government policies, to add to the chemical weapons, the UN has announced a polio outbreak. Now to add to the other issue with the government genocide, they now much deal with diseases that were somewhat eliminated in the United States decades ago and not to mention other diseases that how not been announced. When you have 10 out of 22 children confirmed with polio and the other 12 waiting, you would have to assume that Syria's governments are clearly not in the best interest of their citizens. When you have children less than 2 years old along with an ongoing battle with the medical infrastructure, this would clearly affect the population growth with Syria in years to come because before, 95 percent of the country was immunized. Along with neighboring countries and the help of UNICEF, 800,000 Syrian children were current with vaccinations of polio but a million were for other diseases. When you see that countries like Pakistan and Nigeria were polio are still considered epidemics, the comments by World Health Organization are accurate, The outbreak of polio in Syria “shows you have to eradicate the disease in the endemic countries because from there it will spread no matter where you are,” but also has labeled the situation as a setback but has vowed to conquer this epidemic as they have with other countries. As I mentioned earlier, it is a tough situation for the citizens of Syria with the governments from of chemical genocide along with a failing medical infrastructure.


Sean Odom
10-3-13
10:55 a.m.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/30/world/middleeast/un-confirms-polio-outbreak-in-syria.html?ref=world&_r=1&

Blog #6 In Syria, Doctors Risk Life and Juggle Ethics

As with the ongoing issues in Syria and their chemical attacks on their own people, now it seems that doctors have to ignore the hypocritical oath as a medical professional with harm to their lives. With 100 people killed and 600 incarcerated for just bringing the attention of the affects of chemical weapons with samples ranging from collected hair and urine samples, clothing, tree leaves, soil and even a dead bird. Why would you intentionally target hospitals and other health care professionals that have educated themselves to help people in need but risk that to help the citizens. Not only they have to factor in the chemical warfare, vaccinations, medicines for heart conditions and diabetics makes the situation more grim. The positive thing out of it is that the group Doctors Without Borders has created makeshift hospitals that are going against the Asad government to provide appropriate healthcare that is needed but is limited to non-toxic conditions. I know its a small number but when 3600 people come in for treatment in twelve hours, this shows that Syrians are desperate for medical attention and how urgent it is for them to have is accessible. It just a great thing to know that outside countries and organizations like Doctors Without Borders, Center for Strategic and International Studies and United States Secretary of State John Kerry are willing to go against the grain to provide services but hopefully the United Nations will mandate Syria to protect doctors security and adequate healthcare to Syrians who are suffering chemically and genetically.

Sean Odom
2:23 p.m.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/health/in-syria-doctors-risk-life-and-juggle-ethics.html?ref=world&_r=0