Sir, – Surely the most inspirational people on the planet right now are the Syrian refugees trekking across Europe. They are fleeing the horrors of a brutal war, yet in their hearts they still carry belief and hope in humanity. They hope, indeed rightfully expect, that we will share our schools with their children, our doctors with their sick, our houses with their weary. Like thousands who have watched the unbearable suffering of Syrians, especially the children, I’m glad we finally have a chance to offer some of them sanctuary in Ireland. – Yours, etc,
MAIRE WINTERS,
Headford, Co Galway.
A chara, – The current influx of refugees from the Middle East, Afghanistan and Africa is a direct result of US-led western military intervention.
This phenomenon is also cynically known as “humanitarian intervention”.
The countries involved in these interventions should be responsible for accommodating the people whose lives their policies have made unbearable.
An “index of destruction” could be devised by the United Nations which would decide, based on criteria such as bombs dropped, amount of funding and training given to opposition jihadists, false promises made, and so on, what percentage of refugees each responsible country would take. This could be done on a country by country basis. At least then these unfortunate people would see the promises of prosperity and democracy made to them partly realised. They could at least experience a little of the wealth created by the natural resources stolen from their countries. – Is mise,
CORMAC CHAMBERS,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.