When it comes to their interest in power, politicians’ actions and those of ruling bodies do not differ: without exception they make the moves that increase or sustain their political and economic hegemony. To discuss the moral abuses of politics and politicians, this is an ideal place for me to start, since it is well known that a capitalist regime conducts itself in this way. At the same time this regime hides behind a moral mask to justify what it commits in terms of the catastrophes inflicted on humanity, whether directly, through an attack on Iraq or Afghanistan, or indirectly through the political and economic support of a dictatorship like the Syrian one.

Unfortunately, the circumstances are similar when it comes to human rights violations, even though the states of the world have signed the international declaration of human rights and have established a number of organizations to ensure it is honoured. However, they all play the political game with people suffering as a consequence – a game that is playing itself out now in the battle over the human condition in Syria. These conditions have rapidly deteriorated recently, with a sharp increase in the massacres and arbitrary detentions inflicted by the Syrian Government on those who oppose it. The countries of world have shown as much empathy for this condition as seated young men watching a woman caught standing on a bus in a traffic jam.

This has been a prevalent sight in Syria and other countries in recent years. Reactions will vary according to the family and educational background of those involved. Some who remain seated will completely ignore her existence, or talk away on their cellular phones to avoid interrogating themselves on this matter; just like most countries in the world do ignoring the daily massacres in Syria. The number of those martyred is nearly 12,000; an estimate of course, because it is impossible to reach certain affected areas. There are those at the back of the bus who may empathise but will not act, blaming everyone else for their failure; just as a country like the US does not hesitate to condemn, threaten, and impose sanctions that only affect the poor of Syria, without serious intervention to increase the pressure on the Syrian regime and isolate it internationally.

As for Russia and China, it is a different story. In addition to the multiple vetos that prevented the UN Security Council ↑ from condemning the Syrian regime, Russia has continued providing arms to the regime. This is a stain on the Russian people’s history of struggle against dictatorships, just adding to our woes, like someone who starts pestering the stranded woman till she collapses.  

The worst in my opinion is the position taken by the Gulf States ↑ that want the fall of the Syrian regime at any cost in order to replace it with one that is compatible with their religious orientation and policy. The aim to control the religious and political formation of the region is rather like a man not only offering his seat to the woman, but asking to carry her bag while paying her bus fare, only in order to mug and rape her later on.

The issue of women left to stand on buses is a social phenomenon that is related to the customs and traditions of any society, and it is not for me to judge. The issue takes on a different dimension when the woman is in labour, just like our revolution that is standing in the middle of the world in pain, because it is promising a different, free, and new country.

A question remains: if the peoples had a say in their countries, would the world have ignored the violations in my country? This question remains ideal and illogical in the world of politics and political interests. But I cannot help but pose it to nations that have gone through a similar experience at any point in their history, paying the kind of price that we are paying now and more for its freedom.  

This is a column for Arab Awakening's This week's window into the Middle East.

To stay up to date with our columnists, bookmark our You Tell Us page and follow the columnists on twitter.