maddie+kujawa

Maddie Kujawa

County: Argentina

As new evidence has emerged, the discovery of horrific acts committed by the Syrian government against its people has been astounding. Since the uprising in 2011, more than 63,000 people have died as result of the actions taken by the Syrian government and its affiliates. Lately, the use of Sarin nerve gas against its citizens has caused an unprecedented amount of foreign involvement. As Argentina we in no way support military involvement from Western Powers, because anymore involvement of armed forces will just add to the horrors and bloodshed that have already struck the Syrian people. We wish to intervene through humanitarian intervention thus explaining our decision to not sign the Swiss proposal to the UN.

After Syria gained independence from France in 1946 a state of emergency soon occurred that limited almost all the rights of its citizens until it was lifted in 2011. President al-Assad practices the religion of Alawite. This is a very small minority of Syria, and due to the religious indifferences and conflicts- such as the Hama massacre that killed upwards up 25,000 people - religion has been a big part of conflict between the government and its people. After al Assad’s election in 2000, a Damascus Spring was in effect. Citizens could discuss different political issues in private salons. Shortly after, activist who spoke of democracy were arrested. The arrests included thousands. The government’s restriction of personal rights and religion has caused tremendous issues since. The Syrian government persecutes anyone who speaks or makes any action to promote democracy, and includes censorship and crimes against humanity to stop protestors. In order to stop the Syrian government the Arab league has suspended Syria as one of its members and placed economic sanctions on them. A deal had been made that the Syrian government would take military forces out of cities to stop the violence against civilians, it has failed to work. Foreign involvement seems to just strengthen the regimes confidence.

In an effort to maintain a humanitarian resolution without using military force a deal needs to be made with Syria. Persecuting al Assad cannot happen without his capture and this cannot happen without a military action. We must make a deal to split the county of Syria between the al Assad regime and the anti-government population. In order to have the Syrian government agree to lose a large land mass, we can offer to provide them economic opportunity by lifting sanctions, offering new innovations, technology, and finical compensation in the forms of investment capital and guaranteed loans. This will be done with the understanding that the new division will establish borders that must be respected. If at any point the deal is broken we will exhaust other options to stop the al Assad regime.