Tomorrow 26th September, the UK government votes yes or no to ISIS air strikes. Tonight I,along with a room full of documentary-goers at Rich Mix cinema in Shoreditch, London have shared a Skype call with two devoted Syrian activists, Mouaz and Razan joined by US congressmen Adam Kinzinger from the Syrian border, who urge MPs in the the UK to vote 'yes'. Not just for strikes on ISIS but also on Assad's airstrips that drop an average of 60 barrel bombs a day on Syrian civilians according to activist Mouaz. Using Congressman Kinzinger's own words, as heard in the recording below .. The fastest way to kill ISIS is to kill Assad. But the recording is about much more than that, it about the plea of 9 million displaced Syrians and the many who have already perished.
Tonight I saw the struggle of these two activists as they have spent the years since the beginning of the revolution, rallying UK MPs and US congressmen to offer more than just lip service and to deliver on their promises to support moderate civilian forces, provide humanitarian aid and strike Assad in retaliation of his ongoing disregard for the red lines laid out. Even today there is news of more chemical attacks on civilians and yet, we hear nothing.
This Skype conversation was not sensationalised, it was not for the media, nor for the newspapers, and activists, UK documentary goers and congressmen alike, could plainly and freely express their horror at the continuing of a genocide that has been deemed acceptable and forgettable by the West.
 |
| Razan and Mouaz |
Following that, it is more than military action. We must provide support for the creation and continuation of civilian police forces and support for the FSA, vetted through the right channels and with the help of those on the ground who know the good from the bad. It is about condemning Assad and retaliating when he assaults the freedom of unarmed, innocent civilians. He can no longer tell us that he targets militants. ISIS remain untouched and unchallenged. They are not the same entity but they share the same aims. If we do not wish to say yes to air strikes that may unavoidably kill innocents, then we must push and push for the UK government to instead strike Assad airstrips. Destroying airstrips is to save thousands.
A few months ago I sat across the table from congressman Cicilline in Washington DC who expressed he did not agree with the failure to act against Assad. US congressman are voicing their opinions, so when the bell rings calling our UK MPs to vote, whether it's a yes or a no, they must at least be rallied to deliver on their promises and #FreeSyria. I will not turn a blind eye to dying children, nor will these two wonderful activists and their networks, nor will the humanitarian charities who work to give aid, such as Iman Mujahed of Hand in Hand for Syria but this, is not enough. Syria needs Western governments to intervene.
The rest I will leave to Razan and Mouaz, and to congressman Kinzinger. And if you can find a way of watching the documentary 'Red Lines' then please do.
