Colonel: Yes Paul I understand and somewhat feel responsible.
Paul: No colonel you can’t blame this on yourself.
Colonel: There was nothing that I could really do at the time, I was given strict orders and if I didn’t obey to them it would have been my head on the chopping block.
Paul: Yes I know but, I’m sure you could have influenced some of the decisions.
Colonel: Yes I did Paul, don’t think I didn’t.
Paul: Why did the U.N. Security Council respond to the worsening crisis by voting unanimously to abandon Rwanda? I thought it was an obvious decision to go in and send troops, I mean thousands of people were getting massacred everyday!
Colonel: The superpowers of the world reacted somewhat the same as the international community, they had a look at the shocking images been broadcasted all over the world, heck! They even received the odd phone call but nonetheless they still managed to ignore you. And do you know why Paul?
Paul: Why?
Colonel: Because you’re worth nothing to them! America doesn’t want Rwanda, Russia doesn’t want Rwanda, know one wants Rwanda. They gain nothing from going into Rwanda. If Rwanda had something they wanted they’d be in there in a flash and this whole crisis wouldn’t have been to the extent that it was. The superpowers tried to make it clear that it was Rwanda’s problem and Rwanda should try and fix it themselves.
Paul: Colonel 900,000 people are dead! Rwanda has been torn apart, how can they just turn there backs? What has become of this world?
Why do they always want something in return? Why can’t they just do something out of goodwill? “I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink: I was a stranger and you received me in your homes” Matthew 25:35-36.
Paul: I think the UN has failed to hold true to a fair portion of the declaration of human rights.
Colonel: Well that may be a fair comment considering rights such as Article 3-“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person” and Article 5-“No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishments” were not taken care of by the UN. But you have to take into consideration that we’re peacekeepers not peacemakers.
Paul: I must thank you for finding mine and many other families’ refuge in other countries.
Colonel: No need to thank me, the right to asylum is a matter of life or death
Paul: Article 14(1) “Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution”. This principle recognises the fact that victims of human rights abuse are able to leave their country freely and to seek refuge elsewhere. Governments always see refugees as a threat or a burden, refusing to respect this core principle of human rights and refugee protection.
Colonel: “Do not betray the refugees”. Isaiah 16:3. The death toll would definitely been higher if it wasn’t for the awareness of countries taking in refugees.
Paul: Yes, without doubt.
Colonel: How important are the basic human rights to you Paul?
Paul: Very important for sure. Some people access rights to gain fairness, some people protest in favour of rights for a healthy environment, me on the other hand I respect my rights for freedom from discrimination.
Colonel: Well Paul, I must be going now. It’s been great catching up with you my friend. I hope you and your family have a wonderful future. You’ve really inspired me to be a better person.
Paul: Colonel I had a great time and I hope to see you soon again.
