"Double Standards and Complicit Silence: Reflections on Gaza, Srebrenica and Ukraine in the Global Trust"

The international community often faces complex situations in which its response, or lack thereof, becomes a matter of great controversy and debate. Three paradigmatic examples of this dissonance in international action are the massacre in Gaza, the massacre in Srebrenica and the war in Ukraine.

The situation in Gaza has long been a flashpoint in the Middle East. Over the years, there have been numerous episodes of violence and death in this region, which has led to a deep division in the international community. Some countries have condemned Israel's actions, while others have supported its security measures. What is particularly disturbing is the international community's double standards in this case. World powers have often been reluctant to take concrete steps to end the violence in Gaza, leaving thousands of civilians caught in the middle of the conflict.

On the other hand, we remember the massacre in Srebrenica during the Bosnian war in the 1990s. In that case, thousands of civilians were killed while UN peacekeepers, the blue helmets, failed to prevent the tragedy. This sent shockwaves through the international community and led to a review of the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping missions. However, the memory of this massacre also raises questions about why insufficient measures were taken to prevent the tragedy in the first place.

In contrast to these two examples, the international community's rapid mobility and response to the war in Ukraine highlights the disparity in its actions. The immediate and forceful response in support of Ukraine shows how geopolitical and strategic interests can influence how the international community responds to crisis situations. This disparity raises uncomfortable questions about the morality and ethics behind the international community's actions.

History has taught us that selective passivity on the part of the international community can have devastating consequences. It is the responsibility of all of us, as citizens of the world, to put pressure on international institutions to adhere to the values of peace, justice and respect for human rights. Only then can we move towards a world in which the double standards of the international community cease to exist, and the protection of humanity is the priority in every corner of the globe.

The complicit silence of the international community not only undermines confidence in its ability to address humanitarian crises, but also has the potential to leave people under attack and invasion in a position of extreme vulnerability. In a world where international action often appears to be guided by shifting geopolitical interests, it is essential to remember that a lack of coherence in response to tragedies can have a lasting impact on perceptions of justice and security globally.

Double standards and a lack of coherence in international policies and responses not only threaten trust in international institutions, but could also generate a polarised world, where extremists find fertile ground to spread hate speech. This polarisation could ultimately cut off voices that aspire to a better and more peaceful world. It is a critical reminder that international action must be based on sound and consistent principles, not shifting political considerations. Only then can we move towards a world where peace and justice prevail over polarisation and extremism. 

 Aziz Allaouzi