ABDULLAH MUSTAFVI
US President’s outburst on WHO and call to defund the international body primarily express more concerns against China then for the suffering humanity amid pandemic. World Bank and IMF are worried about the upcoming worst recession but their prime focus revolves around safeguarding the interests of existing corporate giants having least concerns about the poor quarters of the world. So is the case with UN and its allied bodies who mostly remain inactive against the human rights violators. Inability of military centric security concepts has been exposed against recent pandemic. Ability to kill thousands of humans from a distant location with one strike might frighten the millions of foes but such enormous power is too ineffective to save the life of single infected citizen on own side. Few weeks earlier, during President Trump’s Visit, India finalized three-billion-dollar deal with US to buy Integrated Air Defence System on the pretext of national security.
Interestingly, in the midst of pandemic surge, US president had to press PM Modi through a threatening request to ease the export of anti-malarial drug for America. Surprisingly, the sole super power could not tackle the pandemic with available resources. Debate on formulation of public centric security concepts and emergence of new global order are very much in air but any significant positive impact of such grand developments on humanity remains in shadow of doubts. Will saner nations alter the security priorities by allocating more resources towards the well- being of their citizens? Has pandemic made the world more sympathetic and caring? Answer to these questions may be affirmative about individual behaviors, as the people seem to be more accommodative and kind towards the suffering quarters of the society. However, no big change in collective approach of global players seems evident. Hesitant cold shoulder response of EU to initial desperate help calls from Italy was quite disappointing. When thousands were dying in Italy, Spain, France and Germany; no finger was pointed on WHO by US’ President on any pretext. Outburst against WHO began with a sudden rise of Covid-19 cases in US. Cut in funding of WHO was announced by USA for mismanaging the initial outbreak in China which allegedly damaged the global preparations. Denial of US allegations from China and WHO came promptly with a valid suggestion to refrain from politicizing the public sufferings.
No shots were fired on WHO by US or any G-7 country until the pandemic crept deep in their societies. Obviously, outburst on WHO or China has nothing to do with collective well-being of humanity. Global players are pursuing their respective objectives in the larger pretext of pandemic. Significant hypocritical response was seen during SAARC video link conference from Indian side which , being initiator of the event, had no justification of inhuman curfew and communication blackout in occupied Kashmir. Though, conference apparently had an agenda to act collectively for human safety but New Delhi got irked once reminded of eight million Kashmiris forced to live like prisoners in their own houses. Virtues have diminished and humanity is suffering in the hands of hardcore extremist elements. Tragic stories from Gaza expose the worst form of inhuman collective behavior of a state called Israel. Two million Palestinians have been forced to live a life worse than animals in the biggest open air jail of the world called Gaza strip.
Reportedly, after detecting 13 infected cases, now Gaza is facing acute shortage of covid-19 testing kits and essential drugs. While the civilized world is so keen towards social distancing, poor Palestinians are compelled to live in highly cramped and extra congested refugee camps of Jablya and Al-Shati . Israeli forces have sieged the Gaza where already malnourished and caged Palestinians are running short of food supplies and all basic amenities of life. Fancy talks at international forums about public safety, equality and fundamental human rights in the pretext of pandemic appear hollow once weighed against sufferings of the Gaza jail prisoners. Palestinians have already experienced toxic human behavior which is much deadlier than pandemic. Recent News about tragic death of sixty-two Rohingya Muslims in the Bay of Bengal has reminded the shocking tragedy spread from Myanmar to Malaysia. As per survived witness account, five hundred Rohingyas cramped in a small fishing boat struck with hunger and thrust, had been sailing for two months between Malysia , Thailand and Bangla Desh to seek refuge. All sixty two dead were given floating funeral in the sea ! No piece of land could be offered to unlucky dead as the world was busy fighting the pandemic and thinking about allocation of more resources for public welfare. There is a long list of public sufferings which could not receive due response from international community .
Syrian and Afghan refugees compelled to breath in unlivable camps at the mercy of global donors! Rohingyas floating on overcrowded boats in search of shelter and food! Kashmiris imprisoned in their own houses! Indian Muslims labelled as ‘Corona Jihidist’ and discriminated in hospitals. Though, the world mourns death of thousands deceased due to covid-19 but pandemic has actually promulgated the death of humanity amid tragedies of Palestine , Kashmir , Myanmar, Syria , India and Afghanistan.
