The sudden assertion of human criteria within a dehumanising framework of political manipulation can be like a flash of lightning illuminating a dark landscape
The sudden assertion of human criteria within a dehumanising framework of political manipulation can be like a flash of lightning illuminating a dark landscape
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"Protection is the least we can give"Elsewhere on openDemocracy
On Tuesday this week, London's Trafalgar square was transformed into a temporary "refugee camp" by the UNHCR in an awareness raising initiative to highlight the ongoing situation in Darfur, which saw similar scenes in 20 countries across the world. Zrinka blogged earlier this week about her own unexpected reaction to the exhibition. The hope is that the day-long camp had an impact on those who know nothing about Darfur, the UNHCR or refugees in general, the "absent majority" as Jenny put it in an earlier post.
It is easy to question the point of staging these kinds of events, especially if you and those around you are fully aware of the issues, but a stark reminder of the necessity of such awareness building came when listening to a BBC World Service report later that evening: in a vox-pop conducted by the reporter "what does Darfur mean to you" none of the respondents could answer; "sorry, never heard of it", "nope, nothing". I would hope that, ahead of World Refugee Day tomorrow, at least one of those interviewed came away on Tuesday better informed - and better equipped to act.
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