First Angelina Jolie slammed the UN for failing to help Syrian refugees and now a legion of celebrities have joined forces to help raise awareness to the on-going plight.
In a briefing to the Security Council, the Hollywood star, who is a UN special envoy for refugees, remained claim and articulate as she addressed the room of dignitaries and criticised their behaviour in the refusal to protect the millions of innocent Syrians, caught up in turmoil and seeking refugee.
Angelina Jolie addressed the UN and said: “We cannot look at Syria, and the evil that has arisen from the ashes of indecision, and think this is not the lowest point in the world’s inability to protect and defend the innocent. Nearly 4 million Syrian refugees are victims of a conflict they have no part in, yet they are stigmatised, unwanted, and regarded as a burden.”
“The Security Council has powers to address these threats to international peace and security but those powers lie unused,” she continued. “The UN has adopted the responsibility to protect concept — saying that when a state cannot protect its people the international community will not stand by, but we are standing by in Syria.”
Syrian refugees are grateful for Angelina Jolie’s attempts to raise awareness of their plight
During the meeting Angelina also addressed the migrant crisis. Many Syrians are embarking on risky journeys to escape the violence in their homeland, trying to seek asylum across Europe.
Sadly, many countries were reluctant to help until the tragic death of three-year-old refugee Aylan Kurdi. Images of the lifeless tot washed ashore on a beach in Turkey, following a failed escape plan, sent shock waves across the globe.
One tweet in honour of Aylan Kurdi
The harrowing image brought home the struggle asylum seekers are facing. As such, following the news, many celebrities took to social media to join Angelina Jolie and raise awareness to the plight using the hashtag #KiyiyaVuranInsanlik, which means ‘humanity washed ashore’. It seems the campaign has helped make a difference with many European countries finally opening their doors to Syrian refugees.
Let’s hope the good will continues…
