Human Rights Violations: Addressing Violence in Syria, Libya, and the U.S.

Human Rights Violations: Addressing Violence in Syria, Libya, and the U.S. 

“An estimated 281 million people, approximately 3.6% of the world’s population, currently live outside their country of origin, many of whose migration is characterized by varying degrees of compulsion” (OHCR). 

Refugees’ Struggling To Survive Syria 

On March 15, 2011, our global society witnessed the start of what we now know as the Syrian Civil War, which started when conflict arose after a peaceful student protest against the government of Bashar al-Assad was forcefully eradicated. The conflict has had a significant impact on hundreds of thousands of children and their families. Yet, in 2021 many refugees are still struggling to survive, and this crisis has left them with a negative impact on their coping strategies. According to UNHCR,

• 30% of children in school-age (ages 6-17) have never been to school
• In 2021 the primary school rate date in attendance for children between the ages of 6 and 14 
• 1 and 14 children have experienced one form of violent discipline.

The economic crisis in Lebanon has seriously impacted the living conditions of many Syrian refugees. There are about 13.5 million Syrians who have forcibly been displaced, and of those, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum seekers who have fled the country. As many Syrian refugees return to Syria they are faced with several human rights violations by the government. UNCHR mandate international protection and humanitarian assistance due to these rising violations. Syrian refugees have been forced and pressured by the Lebanon authorities to leave and not return. 

Migrants Detained In Libya 

The western town of Gargaresh, a town known for migrants and refugees in Libya, has experienced several waves of migrants over the years. According to The New Humanitarian, in an attempt to enforce security measures against illegal migration and drug trafficking, at least 5,000 migrants were detained, which started on October 1. 

Violations Against Haitians At The U.S. Border 

In September, our global community was trigged by the grueling image of U.S. Border Patrol agents “attempting to prevent migrants” from crossing the Rio Grande River that divides Texas and Mexico through the use of force from what appeared to be a whip. This image evoked a dark comparison to U.S. slavery on black people’s historical mistreatment and discrimination in America. 

Here’s what we know:

• Recent political unrest with the murder of their former President and an earthquake that left more than two thousand people dead has led to the surge in Haitian migrants traveling to the U.S. 
• U.S. special envoy for Haiti, Ambassador Daniel Foote, resigned amid the mass deportations after the political turmoil and natural disasters. In his resignation letter he stated, “I will not be associated with the United States’ inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs in control of daily life” (PBS)
• According to three officials, the U.S. government knew in July that thousands of Haitian migrants were heading to the U.S. border ahead of the 28,000 migrant surge in September. (PBS)
• By 9/24, Federal authorities finished clearing an encampment that housed up to fifteen thousand Haitian migrants. 
• The U.S. Administration allowed twelve thousand migrants to enter the U.S., but their request for asylum remains under evaluation by a U.S. immigration judge. 

Get Involved! 

• How to help refugees in the United States: 12 ways to stand for welcome
• How can I help asylum seekers?

Citations:

https://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2021/9/615430234/un-syrian-refugees-lebanon-struggle-survive-amid-worst-socioeconomic-crisis.html#_ga=2.211982109.889997220.1634787814-1475096611.1634653675

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58654351

https://www.worldvision.org/refugees-news-stories/syrian-refugee-crisis-facts

https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/why-are-haitian-migrants-gathering-us-border

https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2021/10/15/Lebanon-Libya-migrant-UN-Hancock-Cheat-Sheet?utm_source=The+New+Humanitarian&utm_campaign=2f13cb2ca7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_Cheat_Sheet_18_October_2021&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d842d98289-2f13cb2ca7-75735794